According to Xinhua News Agency, Reuters, CNN and other media reports, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot in the street after a government meeting, and was rushed to the hospital with multiple shots, and is currently in critical condition.
A statement from the Prime Minister's Office confirms that Fizo's injuries are life-threatening! He was first treated at a local hospital and then taken by helicopter to Banska Bystrica.
"He has been shot multiple times and is currently in critical condition", the statement said, adding that the next few hours will be decisive.
For his part, the Slovak Minister of Labour confirmed that no one else was injured in the attack.
Fizo's life is in critical condition
Local media reports say the shooting took place in the small town of Handlova in central Slovakia, about 150 kilometers from the capital.
After the day's meeting, Fizo walked out of the Cultural Center building and greeted the crowd on the street in front of the Community Center.
A netizen claiming to be an eyewitness revealed on social media that the gunman first shouted at Fizzo at the incident, attracting Fizzo to approach and shake his hand, and then fired closely.
The gunman, a 71-year-old man, reportedly fired four shots and apparently wounded Fizo in the abdomen, arm and leg.
The gunman was subdued by the police immediately after the attack, and the assassination has now been handed over to the Slovak State Criminal Service.
Video from the scene showed the injured Prime Minister Fizo being stuffed into a car by staff before sping away.
Some witnesses at the scene said that they originally wanted to shake hands with the prime minister. "The gunshots rang out, and I was almost deaf." The witness said he saw the prime minister fall in front of him, "as if his chest and head were bleeding."
Fizo was taken to a local hospital and then transferred by helicopter to a trauma centre in Bystrica, Banska, about 30 kilometres away.
Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinyak said Fizo had undergone a three-and-a-half-hour operation.
"His health is indeed very complicated," he told reporters, adding that it was "absolutely clear" that the assassination attempt was a "political attack."
"We are particularly concerned about the health of Fizo (pictured below). Hopefully he'll be strong enough to get through it. Kalignak said.
According to the BBC, Fizo returned to power after the general election last September. He has always been a controversial figure in Slovakia, making a name for himself for his pro-Russian and anti-American rhetoric. In January of this year, he announced the cessation of aid to Ukraine.
Image source: CCTV
The 71-year-old gunman was doxxed
According to the global Slovak news network aktuality.sk, the 71-year-old suspect's name is J. C. Zbraň, from the Slovak town of Levice.
Using a firearm that may have been in his legal possession, he fired several shots at Fizo.
After the gunshots rang out, Sintura was arrested. The man in the light blue shirt sat on the ground with his hands tied behind his back.
The gunman's son, shocked by the shooting, confirmed that his father legally owned a gun.
In an interview with the news site, he said: "I have absolutely no idea what my father's intentions were, what his plans were, why this happened. ”
When asked if his father had a previous grudge against Fizo, he replied: "What I can tell you is that he didn't vote for Fizo. That's all I can say about it. ”
The gunman's son denied that his father had publicly mentioned that he would attack or kill politicians, or that he suffered from mental illness.
According to the report, Sintura is very active in the arts, has published several poetry collections, and has also founded a literary club. In 2016, he worked for a private security company.
J. C. Weapon
Politicians from many countries were shocked and condemned
According to CCTV, on the 15th local time, on the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Fizo, United Nations Secretary-General Guterres said that he strongly condemned the "shocking attack".
Guterres wished Fizo a speedy recovery and extended greetings to his family.
On the other hand, The Verse sits on the other side of the island.
"I was shocked," she said. "I wish Fizo a strong and speedy recovery from this attack at this critical juncture."
U.S. President Joe Biden said the attack was a "horrific act of violence." "Our embassy is in close contact with the Slovak government and is ready to provide assistance," Biden said in a statement on Wednesday. ”
In addition, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on the social platform X that the attack on Fizo was shocking. We strongly condemn this act of violence, sincerely wish Fizo a speedy recovery and express our solidarity with the Slovak people.
At the same time, many more EU leaders expressed their shock. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on social networking sites: "Violence has no place in European politics. At this moment, my heart is with Fizo, my family and the citizens of Slovakia. ”
Finnish Prime Minister Petri Orpo said he "condemns any act of violence against our democracy".