Slovak Government Office announced on Wednesday, May 15, that Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and injured in an attempted assassination, and his life is currently in danger.
The 59-year-old Fico was shot after a government meeting in the central city of Handlova and was promptly rushed to the hospital. He was later transferred by helicopter to Banska Bystrica for emergency treatment.
In a statement, the Government Office stated, “Today during the government’s outdoor meeting in Handlova, there was an assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico.”
“He is currently being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica because considering the necessity of emergency intervention, going to Bratislava would take too long,” the statement said.
The emergency services department reported receiving information that shortly after 2:30 pm local time, a man was shot in Handlova, and a 59-year-old patient was airlifted for treatment.
TA3 broadcast company reported that there were four shots fired, with the left-wing Prime Minister being hit in the abdomen.
According to the Slovak News Agency (TASR) citing Slovak Parliament Vice President Lubos Blaha, Fico was injured by the gunshot. Blaha announced that the meeting would be adjourned until further notice.
The incident took place in front of the local cultural palace where the government was holding an outdoor meeting, and Fico had come to meet with supporters. The police subsequently cordoned off the area.
Outgoing Slovak President Zuzana Caputova expressed her shock at the “cruel and senseless” attack on the Prime Minister, extending her wishes for his recovery.
Several EU leaders condemned the attack on Fico. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, strongly denounced the “cowardly attack” on social media platform X, emphasizing that such violence has no place in society.
“This violent act has no place in our society; it undermines democracy, which is our most precious common interest. My heart is with Prime Minister Fico and his family,” she added.
European Council President Charles Michel, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also expressed shock at the news on X.
Michel stated, “Nothing justifies violence or such attacks.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed his shock on X, saying, “The news of the cowardly attempted assassination on Slovak Prime Minister Fico deeply shocked me. Violence must not be tolerated in European politics.”
Austrian conservative Prime Minister Karl Nehammer also voiced his shock, emphasizing, “Hatred and violence must not prevail in our democratic countries, and we must fight against them with utmost determination.”
A reporter from Dennik N heard gunshots and witnessed rescue personnel lifting the Prime Minister into a vehicle.
A Reuters eyewitness reported hearing gunshots and seeing a man being detained by the police.
The Reuters eyewitness mentioned seeing security officials push someone into a car and drive away.
According to news TV station TA3, the incident occurred in Handlova town about 150 kilometers northeast of the capital. A suspect has reportedly been arrested.
A video clip showed several men rushing into Handlova Cultural Center to arrest a suspect outside. Epoch Times has not independently verified this video.
Following last year’s elections in September, Fico regained power in Slovakia, leading the populist-nationalist coalition. In October last year, Fico criticized Western support for Ukraine during his campaign and secured his third term as Slovak Prime Minister.
During his three-year tenure, Fico has oscillated between a pro-European mainstream stance and a nationalist position against EU and US policies.
After the shooting incident, Slovakia’s largest opposition party canceled a planned protest against government public broadcaster reforms scheduled for Wednesday evening.