Overview of the Assassination Attempt
On Wednesday, May 15, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was airlifted to a hospital in a ‘life-threatening’ condition after being shot outside a government building in Handlova. The assailant, identified as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, used a legally registered short-barreled weapon to carry out the attack. Three to four shots were fired as the PM greeted people outside the House of Culture building, resulting in injuries to his chest, abdomen, and limb. The Interior Ministry confirmed it as an “assassination attempt”.
Background of the Gunman
Juraj Cintula, the gunman, is known for co-founding a literary club in 2005 and being an active member of the Slovak Writers’ Association. He has authored several poems and has been involved in literary activities until 2016. The motive behind the attack was reportedly Cintula’s disagreement with the PM’s policies.
International Response
The attack on PM Fico has drawn condemnation from world leaders. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his hopes for Fico’s recovery and denounced the crime as monstrous. US President Joe Biden also condemned the violence, emphasizing the need to support Slovakia during this challenging time. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky echoed similar sentiments, calling for efforts to prevent violence from becoming normalized.
