Slovakia’s pro-Russia Prime Minister Robert Fico wounded in apparent assassination attempt

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot and wounded in an apparent assassination attempt on Wednesday during an appearance outside a community center, according to local media reports.

Fico was airlifted to a nearby hospital, and his official Facebook page announced that he had been “shot multiple times and is currently in a life-threatening condition.” The Slovak broadcaster TA3 reported that the 59-year-old Prime Minister was shot in the abdomen following a meeting in Handlova, a town located about 100 miles northeast of the capital, Bratislava.

The alleged assailant, whose identity remains unknown, was apprehended by police. A video circulating on social media, which has not been verified by USA TODAY, appears to show several men detaining the suspect.

Slovakia’s President Zuzana Čaputová expressed her shock and condemnation of the attack in a post on X, stating: “I am utterly shocked by today’s brutal attack on #Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in the strongest possible terms. I wish him a lot of strength in this critical moment and an early recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and close ones.”

The incident also drew strong condemnation from international leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called the attack “vile,” and President Joe Biden expressed alarm, stating that the U.S. government was “in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.”

Fico has served as prime minister since 2023, a position he previously held. The European Policy Center describes him as a “pro-Russian populist” who mixes “social populism, nationalism, and anti-liberalism.”

He resigned as prime minister in 2018 amid an investigation into the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak, who had reported on organized crime and corruption in Slovakia. Fico stepped down following large protests demanding political change. He returned to power last year, leading a coalition government with his populist left-wing party, Smer-SSD. Among his campaign promises was a pledge to halt all military aid to Ukraine. He has consistently denied allegations of being pro-Russian.

The last assassination of a major political figure was in 2022 when former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was shot and killed by a lone gunman while campaigning. In 2021, Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was shot dead in his private residence by a group of 28 armed men.