Slovakian PM shooting suspect, 71, arrives in court after blasting Robert Fico in assassination attempt
THE man suspected of trying to assassinate Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has been hauled into court this morning.
The pro-Putin prime minister, 59, was gunned down in a bloody attack by the alleged 71-year-old shooter before he was swiftly airlifted to hospital for emergency life-saving surgery.
AFPA police convoy believed to carrying suspect Juraj Cintula into court this morning over the shooting of Slovakian PM Robert Fico[/caption]
The 71-year-old man was seen bloodied up after cops detained him for the alleged attack
Cintula was unmasked as an anti-violence crusader after he was accused of the shooting
Fico is expected to make a recovery after the horror shooting due to life-saving surgery
The PM went through a reported three hours worth of urgent surgery after his injuries were labelled as “extraordinarily serious” when he entered hospital.
Slovakia’s deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba said on Wednesday: “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.”
Local media identified the suspect as Juraj Cintula – a Slovakian man from the town of Lavice.
The activist previously claimed “the world is full of hatred” in a rant for the faction.
He said: “Every normal person rejects violence. Our goal is to unite people, preserve peace and restore democracy.
“It is very difficult because no one trusts anyone anymore. The world is full of chaos and hatred.”
Cintula also previously lambasted Fico’s government for not combating gambling.
Authorities believe the attack was politically motivated.
Today’s court hearing is set to decide on the pre-trial detention arrangements.
Horrifying footage captured the moment the politician was shot five times as his security team ran over to grab the OAP killer.
One bullet hit Fico in his abdomen, according to the country’s defence minister Robert Kalinak.
Two others also struck the PM out of the five attempted hits.
Chilling footage caught the haunting moment gunshots rang out around the town of Handlova as people screamed at the sight of the stricken PM.
The shooter was stood just feet away from Fico when he launched the brutal assault.
Fico’s bodyguards leapt over the barrier the gunman was hiding behind as they quickly pinned him down to the floor.
Pictures showed Juraj with blood pouring from his face as he was detained and dragged into a cop car.
The pro-Russian PM had come outside to meet with supporters as she shook hands with those being the barriers as he was attacked.
APHeavily armed police were seen waiting outside the court as Cintula arrived[/caption]
ReutersThe moment the suspect was handcuffed and detained as horrified crowds watched on[/caption]
RTV PrievidzaThe moment the shocking attack started as a gun was pulled out and aimed straight at the PM[/caption]
APThe car Cintula was thought to have arrived in for the pre-trial detention hearing[/caption]
President Zuzana Caputova condemned the “brutal and ruthless” attack, calling the shooting on her political partner an “attack on democracy”.
Slovakian interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok labelled the shocking event as the “saddest moment” in Slovakia‘s 31-year history.
He echoed the president’s thoughts saying: “An attack on Slovakia is an attack on democracy, on the state itself.”
Interior minister Matus Sutaj Estok also said the preliminary information “clearly” points to a political motivation behind the shooting.
More footage showed Fico being carried and bundled into a car, flanked by his bodyguards, and driven away at speed for urgent medical help.
Initial treatment in Handlova saw the PM get life saving support before he was airlifted to Banska Bystrica.
His office claimed it would’ve taken “too long” to get to the capital of Bratislava safely.
Miriam Lapunikova, director of the F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica where Fico is admitted, said the PM had undergone five hours of surgery with two teams to treat multiple wounds.
She said: “At this point his condition is stabilised but is truly very serious. He will be in the intensive care unit.”
Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak said doctors had managed to stabilise Fico’s condition with procedures were underway to secure further improvement.
The shooting was the first major assassination attempt on a European political leader in more than 20 years.
Who is Slovakian PM Robert Fico?
Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico won his country’s elections in September 2023 on a platform of pro-Russian and anti-Western sentiment.
It was his fourth term as prime minister leading the divisive Smer – meaning “Direction” – party.
The controversial leader, whose policies have been met with country-wide protests, is a supporter of Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin.
In January 2024 he said the only way to end the Ukraine war would be for Zelensky’s brave forces to give some of their land to Russian invaders.
He has also opposed Nato membership for Ukraine and said the nation is “not an independent and sovereign country”.
Fico said at the time: “What do they expect, that the Russians will leave Crimea, Donbas and Luhansk? That’s unrealistic.”
Before taking power in December, he promised to stop sending weapons to Ukraine.
He also assured voters he would block any attempts by Kyiv to join Nato and would oppose sanctions against Russia.
In a shocking claim, Fico said Ukraine joining the European military alliance would be “a basis for World War III, nothing else”.
Sickeningly, Fico has claimed that Ukraine – which has been fighting off Russia’s illegal invasion for more than two years – is “one of the most corrupt nations in the world”.
In stark contrast to the war-ravaged experiences of countless Ukrainians, Fico once claimed: “there’s no war in Kyiv,” describing life in the capital as “absolutely normal.”
He has also vowed to enforce a strict stance against migration, NGOs and has campaigned against the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Notorious for tirades against journalists, Fico has previously dubbed a major television network, two national newspapers and an online news outlet as his “enemies”.
AlamyFico was airlifted to hospital for emergency surgery after the attack[/caption]
Pravda PicturesThe PM was bundled into a car after the shooting[/caption]
APFico is expected to make a recovery despite the life changing injuries[/caption]
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