Attempted murder of Prime Minister Fico: What court decision on detention revealed
An elderly man opened fire on the Prime Minister during a government visit in Handlová. Court documents revealed his political motives and how he prepared for the act.
Attempted murder of Prime Minister Fico: What court decision on detention revealed
Wednesday afternoon, 15 May 2024 changed the political landscape in Slovakia. During a government meeting outside Bratislava, specifically in Handlová, there was an attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. The attacker was a 71-year-old pensioner, who was apprehended by security forces immediately after the incident.
According to a report from Aktuality.sk, the shooting occurred shortly after the end of negotiations. Fico left the building of the house of culture, where he approached people standing behind barriers. Someone from those present addressed him, he approached, and at that moment fired several times. The exact number of shots was initially unclear – there was talk of four or five.
In the first minutes, there was uncertainty regarding injuries. Some information suggested that the Prime Minister was fighting for his life, others were more optimistic. Due to the distance from the capital, the emergency service transported him to a hospital in Banská Bystrica by helicopter, as travel by car would have taken too long.
Details about the background to the attack emerged only after the Specialised Criminal Court's decision on placing the suspect in detention was released. The investigation revealed that the man used a black 9-millimetre pistol. According to the findings, he regularly took this weapon to a recreational cottage, where he practised aiming at trees.
One witness stated that the perpetrator spoke about the Prime Minister in a negative manner. He was bothered by Fico's behaviour towards Russia and Hungary, as well as his critical stance towards Brussels. He was apparently someone who spread the view online that the head of the cabinet needed to be stopped.
During questioning, the accused refused to give detailed testimony. However, he claimed that he had no plan to kill, expressed regret, and emphasised that he was careful not to injure anyone other than the target. Immediately after his apprehension, he said that he disagreed with the current leadership of the state, with the dissolution of the special prosecutor's office, and with pressure on journalists and artists. He called the cabinet treacherous, and the decision to open fire was apparently made two days before the act.
From the court file, it further emerges that the attacker learned about the government visit from the radio. On the morning of the attack, he travelled to Handlová, where he waited for a suitable opportunity.
Source: Google News SK