Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico shot, expected to survive

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in a life-threatening condition, following a “politically motivated” assassination attempt on Wednesday, during which he was shot five times, a government minister said.

The gunman, believed to be a 71-year-old writer, is in custody. No one else was injured in the attack.

Fico was injured on Wednesday in a shooting deemed by the government as an assassination attempt. The prime minister was shot five times as he was leaving a government meeting and greeting people in the town of Handlova. After the violent incident, the 59-year-old leader was transferred by helicopter to a hospital near the city of Banska Bystrica because of the need for “acute intervention”.

A video shared on social media showed Fico approaching a small group of people in a public square. Suddenly, a man emerged and discharged a pistol from close range, resulting in five audible gunshots. After the first gunshot, Fico doubled over and fell backwards onto a bench, local media reported, adding that he was shot in the abdomen and a second hit a joint. Security officers rushed and took him to a black Audi. He was then airlifted to Banska Bystrica, where he underwent surgery at a medical facility.

At the shooting site, security officers wrestled a suspect to the ground. Officials stated that preliminary evidence suggested political motivations. According to reports, Fico was conscious while being transported to hospital. The suspect was seen wearing a pale blue shirt, sitting on the ground with his hands tied behind his back. Deputy Prime Minister Tomas Taraba said late on Wednesday that Fico’s hospital operation “went well”, adding: “I guess in the end he will survive.”