Slovakia’s head of government Robert Fico has sustained injuries from a shooting and has been urgently transported to a medical facility.
This event unfolded in Handlova, positioned about 150 kilometers northeast of Bratislava, following a governmental assembly.
Slovakian broadcaster TA3 disclosed that the 59-year-old leader was struck in the abdomen during the broad daylight assault.
Authorities have apprehended a suspect, with striking footage displaying an individual in handcuffs on the pavement.
The gunfire took place near the local cultural center, where Fico was engaging with his backers.
A journalist from Dennik N reported hearing gunfire before witnessing first responders moving Fico, a noted ally of Putin, to a vehicle.
“I was about to extend a handshake,” remarked an observer of the event who chose to remain unnamed. His spouse noted hearing three or four gunshots and remarked, “I nearly lost my hearing when the gunfire erupted.”
The deputy speaker of parliament, Lubos Blaha, verified the occurrence during a parliamentary session and postponed it indefinitely.
President Zuzana Caputova decried the assault on the prime minister as “brutal and merciless.”
“I am in shock,” expressed Caputova. “In this pivotal time, I send Robert Fico wishes of fortitude and a speedy recuperation from the assault.”
In reaction to the incident, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala commented, “The report of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico being shot is startling. I hope the prime minister recovers swiftly. We cannot accept violence; it has no place in our society.”
