Slovak PM Fico's condition 'still very serious' after second surgery (2024)

  • International
  • Slovakia

Robert Fico's condition was said to still be 'very serious' on Friday after it was reported he had a second operation following an attempted assassination.

Le Monde with AFP

Published on May 17, 2024, at 4:41 pm (Paris)

1 min read

  • Share
    • Share on Facebook
    • Share by email
    • Share on Linkedin

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's condition was on Friday, May 17, "still very serious" two days after an attempted assassination, his deputy and close ally said, as police raided the suspect's home. "He was operated on again, he had an almost two-hour-long operation," deputy prime minister Robert Kalinak told reporters outside the hospital in Banska Bystrica.

"His state is still very serious. I think it would take a couple of days to see the course of the development of his state," Kalinak added on Friday. The Banska Bystrica hospital director said Fico remained "conscious" despite being in a "serious" condition.

Fico had previously undergone a five-hour-long surgery, shortly after being airlifted from the scene of the attack on Wednesday. He was hospitalized after the shooting on Wednesday, which happened as the 59-year-old leader was speaking to members of the public after a meeting in the central town of Handlova.

Earlier on Friday, local media reported that Slovak police had searched the home of the man charged with the shooting. Officers brought along the alleged gunman, who was wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, to the apartment he shared with his wife in the western town of Levice, Markiza TV footage showed. "Police stayed in the apartment for several hours... They took the computer and documents out of the apartment," the private broadcaster said.

Slovak PM Fico's condition 'still very serious' after second surgery (1)

'Lone wolf'

Police, who told Agence France-Presse (AFP) they would not comment on an ongoing investigation, have not named the suspect but media have identified him as 71-year-old writer Juraj Cintula.

He was charged on Thursday with attempted murder with premeditation in what the authorities have called a politically motivated attack. "This is a lone wolf whose actions were accelerated after the presidential election since he was dissatisfied with its outcome," Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said.

Read more Subscribers only Violence is now a feature of Europe's political landscape

The attack has stoked fears of further violence and instability in the politically polarized nation, just weeks before European Parliament elections. Officials drew a link to the political situation in the country, with its political scene marred by disinformation and attacks on social media during recent election campaigns.

Slovak president-elect Peter Pellegrini, who won an election in April, on Wednesday urged the political parties to suspend or reduce campaigning before the EU vote. The biggest opposition party, centrist Progressive Slovakia, and others announced that they had done so.

Partner service

Learn French with Gymglish Thanks to a daily lesson, an original story and a personalized correction, in 15 minutes per day. Try for free

Fico, a four-time premier and political veteran, returned to office in October. Since then, he has made a string of remarks that have soured ties between Slovakia and neighboring Ukraine after he questioned the country's sovereignty. After he was elected, Slovakia stopped sending weapons to Ukraine, invaded by Russia in 2022.

Read more Slovakia announces halt of military aid to Ukraine

Le Monde with AFP

Lecture du Monde en cours sur un autre appareil.

Vous pouvez lire Le Monde sur un seul appareil à la fois

Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil.

Découvrir les offres multicomptes
  • Parce qu’une autre personne (ou vous) est en train de lire Le Monde avec ce compte sur un autre appareil.

    Vous ne pouvez lire Le Monde que sur un seul appareil à la fois (ordinateur, téléphone ou tablette).

  • Comment ne plus voir ce message ?

    En cliquant sur «» et en vous assurant que vous êtes la seule personne à consulter Le Monde avec ce compte.

  • Que se passera-t-il si vous continuez à lire ici ?

    Ce message s’affichera sur l’autre appareil. Ce dernier restera connecté avec ce compte.

  • Y a-t-il d’autres limites ?

    Non. Vous pouvez vous connecter avec votre compte sur autant d’appareils que vous le souhaitez, mais en les utilisant à des moments différents.

  • Vous ignorez qui est l’autre personne ?

    Nous vous conseillons de modifier votre mot de passe.

Lecture restreinte

Votre abonnement n’autorise pas la lecture de cet article

Pour plus d’informations, merci de contacter notre service commercial.

Slovak PM Fico's condition 'still very serious' after second surgery (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Arielle Torp

Last Updated:

Views: 5347

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Arielle Torp

Birthday: 1997-09-20

Address: 87313 Erdman Vista, North Dustinborough, WA 37563

Phone: +97216742823598

Job: Central Technology Officer

Hobby: Taekwondo, Macrame, Foreign language learning, Kite flying, Cooking, Skiing, Computer programming

Introduction: My name is Arielle Torp, I am a comfortable, kind, zealous, lovely, jolly, colorful, adventurous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.