Slovak State Security Council to address heightened threats after PM attack
In Slovakia, another State Security Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, announced Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák. Its members are set to discuss the current security situation, which, according to service representatives, is extremely dangerous.
20 May 2024 07:28
Service representatives provided this information: Following the attack on Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, the security situation in the country has become extremely dangerous.
Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák announced that, in response, another State Security Council meeting will be held on Wednesday.
The Council is to discuss potential legislative changes to increase the protection of people and institutions. Without providing details, Kaliňákmentioned that one solution could be tougher penalties for verbal attacks involving a high degree of hate.
He added that "the protection of freedom of speech escalated" to a physical attack on the prime minister.
Police: the attack on the prime minister was not the work of a "lone wolf"
The Slovak police have begun exploring a new investigative perspective regarding the attack on the prime minister. Based on operational information, they concluded that Juraj C., who shot Robert Fico on Wednesday, was not acting alone.
Evidence for this includes erasing all the attacker's content on social networks after the incident. According to Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok, neither the attacker nor his wife could have managed this on their own.
Furthermore, the attacker reportedly discussed his plans with his acquaintances.
Attack followed government meeting
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot on Wednesday after leaving a government meeting organized in the town of Handlová. The prime minister intended to greet people, among whom was the attacker, Juraj C., a 71-year-old amateur writer, member of a literary club, and legal gun owner.
