"The doctors performed miracles": Prime Minister Fico narrowly escapes death after assassination attempt
New reports on the attack on Robert Fico indicate that the Slovak prime minister was separated from death by mere "millimetres." The Prime Minister of Slovakia is still in the hospital. An official statement suggests that his recovery will be "extremely long."
30 May 2024 | updated: 30 May 2024 07:34
The prime minister's recovery is finally on the right track - said Robert Kaliniak, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior of Slovakia, and a close associate of Robert Fico.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia has been hospitalised in Banská Bystrica since 15 May, where he is recovering after the attempted assassination. It was there that he underwent a life-saving surgery that lasted several hours. Shots aimed at Fico were fired by oppositionist Juraj C. The bullets hit his chest and abdomen.
Doctors describe the prime minister's condition as "satisfactory." However, Deputy Prime Minister Kaliniak said that Fico's recovery would be extended because the injuries he sustained were severe. Notably, the wounded prime minister has started taking food.
He was separated from death by "millimeters"
New reports indicate that Robert Fico was separated from death by only "millimetres." This was revealed by a government advisor who was present at the scene of the shooting.
The official said that the bullets "hit the small intestine in such a way that it was shot through five times, but the doctors performed miracles".
Attack on Robert Fico
The attack on Robert Fico took place on 15 May in Handlova. It happened right after an out-of-town government meeting. The 59-year-old stepped out to meet residents, and at that moment, several shots were fired. The attacker was 71-year-old Juraj C., who was charged with attempted murder with premeditation. He had legally owned the weapon for over 30 years. He brought two magazines to the meeting with the Prime Minister. He assured that he could shoot in a way that would not cause harm.
Juraj C. testified that he wanted to hurt but not kill the Slovak Prime Minister. He argued that he disagreed with the Slovak government's policies. He described them as "treacherous" towards the European Union. He criticized decisions related to the reform of criminal law, which abolished the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the halting of military aid to Ukraine.