Slovak Prime Minister Fico discharged after assassination attempt

Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, on Thursday discharged himself at his request from the hospital where he was admitted after an assassination attempt on his life. Slovak media reported that the prime minister is now at home and cared for by a nurse.

The clinic in Banská Bystrica confirmed that their former patient had decided to leave the facility. Prime Minister Robert Fico was then transported by helicopter to the capital of Slovakia.

In Banská Bystrica, he was recovering after the assassination attempt that occurred in the town of Handlová. The politician was shot on May 15 by 71-year-old Jurij C.

On Thursday, Slovak media speculated whether Fico had decided to use the services of another hospital or take refuge at home. Initially, it was assumed that he wanted to be under the care of the government clinic in Bratislava, which looks after politicians' health. On Friday, it became clear that he was in his own apartment, in front of which increased security had previously appeared.

Miriam Lapunikova, the hospital director in Banská Bystrica, thanked the Prime Minister for being a "disciplined patient." These were not easy times for the facility, so the director thanked the team of doctors "for excellent work" and "all the armed forces for their professional approach and people for the positive energy they sent us."

The doctors wished the patient a "positive attitude during the long rehabilitation ahead." The politician sustained four gunshot wounds to the abdominal cavity and parts of the musculoskeletal system, affecting his digestive tract.

The assailant justified his act with his aversion to government policies. He was detained after the failed assassination attempt and faces 25 years in prison or life imprisonment for attempted murder with premeditation.