Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in “very serious” condition as of Friday (May 17), two days after being shot, according to his deputy and close ally, Robert Kalinak. Kalinak stated that Fico underwent a second surgery and emphasized the uncertainty of his condition, telling reporters outside the hospital, “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.”
Fico, aged 59, sustained multiple gunshot wounds while greeting supporters after a government meeting in Handlova, a former coal mining town. A suspected attacker has been arrested. Miriam Lapunikova, director of the University F.D. Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Fico was airlifted after the shooting, reported that he underwent a CT scan. Lapunikova described his condition as “very serious,” noting that surgery was performed to remove necrotic tissue from his body.
Robert Fico has long been a polarizing figure in Slovakia and beyond. His return to power last year on a platform leaning towards Russia and critical of the United States raised concerns among European Union and NATO members about potential shifts away from Slovakia’s pro-Western stance, particularly regarding Ukraine.
Earlier on Friday, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Fico was escorted by police to his residence, as reported by Slovak television station Markiza. This action was part of a search for evidence. According to reports, police confiscated a computer and documents, though they refrained from providing comments. Prosecutors have instructed police not to disclose the suspect’s identity or other details related to the case.
