Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico “is expected to survive” after a shocking public assassination attempt this afternoon, his Deputy Prime Minister has said
Robert Rico attack: Slovak officials make statement on incident
Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is set to undergo ‘another operation’ as he fights to stay alive after an attempted assassination yesterday.
Slovakia’s deputy prime minister Robert Kaliňák confirmed Mr Fico was expected to survive the attempt on his life and that the politician is is no longer in a life threatening situation. Speaking earlier Tomas Taraba said: “Fortunately as far as I know the operation went well – and I guess in the end he will survive. he’s not in a life threatening situation at this moment.”
Mr Fico is being treated at the Roosevelt Hospital in Banská Bystrica and has said today, along with hospital representatives that he is awaiting hip surgery. However, because the Prime Minister takes blood thinners, it’s thought this may make the second operation more difficult.
The police charged the shooter with premeditated murder. He faces 25 years to life in prison. He is proud of his act. After the assassination, the security council is meeting and the government will also hold talks. Fica will probably be represented by Robert Kaliňák.
At a press conference in Slovakia, president of the country, Zuzana Čaputová said: “We are a nation and together with our minorities, we are one human society which lives in this area.
“We need to condemn violence. Yesterday the attack on Robert Fico was an attack on a human being, but also an attack on democracy.
“Last but not least, we would like to ask all those who speak about this for no hate. Today with the incoming president we agreed that we are going to ask all parliamentary parties to calm the situation down. If we want to carry out this public function in our state , we need to keep under control our thoughts and our words.”
The newly elected Slovak President Peter Pellegrini added that the attempted assassination attempt on Prime Minister Fico was an “attempted assassination on democracy”.
He said he was “appalled” as the future president of the country where “hate could lead this country”. He added: “I am calling on [political parties] to suspend or tone down their campaigns ahead of the European parliament election.
“Such political campaigns will bring confrontations, which is the last thing that Slovakia needs at the moment.”
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