image source : censor.net
Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot numerous times and seriously injured on Wednesday, but his deputy prime minister said he was certain Fico would live.
image source : Euronews.com
The prime minister was meeting supporters at an event when the attempted assassination occurred, frightening the small country and sending shockwaves across Europe weeks before an election.
image source : Bloomberg
Doctors struggled for Fico's life for several hours after the 59-year-old pro-Russian politician was shot in the abdomen, Defense Minister Robert Kalina told reporters at the hospital where he was treated.
image source : bernama
Five shots were fired outside a cultural center in Handlova, northeast of the capital, killing President Fico while attending a government meeting.
image source :Reuters
Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok confirmed that an initial investigation revealed a clear political motivation behind an assassination attempt involving a suspect in custody.
image source : POLITICO.eu
Fico's return to power in Slovakia, characterized by pro-Russian, anti-American sentiment, has raised concerns among European Union members about his potential departure from the Western mainstream.
image source : NewsNow - TASR
Slovakia's Prime Minister, Čukan Štiškovič, has halted arms deliveries to Ukraine, sparking concerns about the country's potential shift towards populism like Hungary.
image source : Visegrad Insight
Fico was taken to Banska Bystrica hospital due to long travel distance to Bratislava, as reported on his Facebook account.
image source : The Guardian
The attack on Fico's life sparked political campaigning ahead of Europe-wide elections, raising concerns about potential gains for populist and nationalist parties.
image source : India.Com
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed worry. "We condemn this horrific act of violence," he added in a statement.
image source :Business Standard
Slovakia's Parliament was adjourned due to opposition parties, Progressive Slovakia and Freedom and Solidarity, canceling a planned protest against a government plan to overhaul public broadcasting.
image source :Euronews.com