Assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister by renowned author

On Wednesday, 15 May, Slovakia was plunged into shock when an assassination attempt was made on Prime Minister Robert Fico shortly after noon. The prime minister's office has reported that he is in a severe condition. Slovak media suggest that 71-year-old author Juraj Cintula, a supporter of the Slovak opposition, was likely behind the attempt.

This alarming incident occurred outside a cultural centre in Handlová right before a scheduled meeting of the Slovak government. Eyewitnesses claim that the attacker called out, "Robo, come here", just moments before firing the shot, apparently trying to lure Fico closer under the guise of a friendly gesture. Juraj Cintula is believed to be the assailant.

Slovak newspaper Plus 7 Dní reported that someone shouted: "Robo, come here." What seemed like a harmless invitation, was an assasination attempt.

Initial investigations point to Juraj Cintula, born in 1953, as the gunman. The 71-year-old is renowned for his literary contributions and co-founded the literary club "DÚHA" in 2005.

Cintula’s literary career comprises three poetry collections, with "Dream of a Rebel" standing out. His works include a novel, "The Message of the Victim," published in 2010, and a book focused on the Romani community, released in 2015. Since then, he has been a member of the Slovak Writers' Association.

Media reports highlight Cintula’s expressed contempt for the Slovak government, suggesting it was his motive for the attack on 15 May. He had a gun permit for the weapon he used. Interestingly, in 2016, Cintula himself narrowly escaped an assassination attempt.

His son, in an interview with aktuality.sk, said he has no comprehension of what my father was thinking, his plans, or why this occurred. He was emphasizing that the 71-year-old had not received psychiatric treatment.