A 71-year-old poet, Juraj Cintula, has been charged with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Cintula fired five shots at Fico, hitting him four times. Fico underwent surgery and remains in serious condition. The shooting occurred in Handlova, Slovakia, after a government meeting.
The EU and NATO member country has been deeply shocked by the assassination attempt. Politicians are calling for unity in the wake of the attack. Outgoing President Zuzana Caputova and Fico’s ally, Peter Pellegrini, emphasized the importance of refraining from confrontation.
Despite calls for unity, some politicians are already pointing fingers at opponents for allegedly inciting the attack. Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak blamed opposition politicians and selected media for spreading lies about Fico.
The suspect, Cintula, faces pre-trial detention and a court hearing in Pezinok. The incident has fueled political tensions in the country, highlighting the divisions that have existed for years.