Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was gravely wounded after being shot multiple times in an attempted assassination while greeting supporters at an event in Handlova, Associated Press reports.
Fico was hit in the abdomen and taken to the hospital for treatment after an assailant fired five shots outside a cultural center. Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba believes that Fice will survive, stating he was not in a life-threatening condition. A suspect was arrested, and initial investigations suggest a political motivation behind the assassination attempt. The shooting incident sent shockwaves through the nation and across Europe just weeks before the EU parliament elections.
Fico, known for his pro-Russian stance, has sparked controversy leading to protests against his policies. The attempted assassination of Fico has sparked concerns about political stability, ahead of the European Parliament elections. Slovakia’s Parliament has been adjourned, and opposition parties have canceled protests to focus on maintaining calm.
