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Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico ‘in life-threatening condition’ after shooting; suspect detained – live updates [1]

['Léonie Chao-Fong', 'Lili Bayer']

Date: 2024-05-15

From 1h ago 12.17 EDT 'An attack on democracy': Slovakia's president says police have arrested attacker Slovakia’s outgoing president, Zuzana Čaputová, has confirmed that police detained the suspected perpetrator at the scene and said officials will provide more information when it is possible. “I am shocked. We are all shocked by the terrible and vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico,” she said in a statement posted to X. We may not fully comprehend yet the seriousness of what has happened today. The shooting of the Prime Minister is first and foremost an attack on a human being – but it’s also an attack on democracy. Violence is absolutely unacceptable. Hate speech and rhetoric full of hate, which we witness across society, leads to hateful acts. Please, let us stop this. She added: The police have arrested the perpetrator and will provide further information when possible. Until then, let us not pass quick judgments, please. I think that the most important thing we should all focus on at this moment is Robert Fico’s fast recovery. I am shocked. We are all shocked by the terrible and vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. We may not fully comprehend yet the seriousness of what has happened today. The shooting of the Prime Minister is first and foremost an attack on a human being — but it’s also an… pic.twitter.com/CrP6icgsWy — Zuzana Čaputová (@ZuzanaCaputova) May 15, 2024 Share Updated at 12.24 EDT

7m ago 13.12 EDT Putin says there is 'no justification for this monstrous crime' Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, has praised the Slovakian prime minister, Robert Fico, as a “courageous and strong-minded man” and wished him a “speedy and full recovery’”. In a telegram to Slovakia’s outgoing president, Zuzana Čaputová, reported by Reuters, Putin said: There can be no justification for this monstrous crime. I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation. Share Updated at 13.17 EDT

14m ago 13.05 EDT Valérie Hayer, head of Renew, the liberal political group in the European parliament, has said: I was shocked to learn of the attack that has just wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. I condemn in the most explicit and unequivocal terms the use of violence against any political leader. Nothing in a democracy can be resolved by such acts. Share Updated at 13.05 EDT

23m ago 12.56 EDT A woman who was at the scene of an attack on Robert Fico has described hearing three shots before the Slovakian prime minister fell to the ground. 0:52 'I heard three shots': witness recounts Slovakian PM assassination attempt – video Share Updated at 12.57 EDT

31m ago 12.48 EDT The Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said he is “shocked and appalled” by the attack on Robert Fico, adding that his thoughts are with the Slovakian prime minister, his loved ones and the people of Slovakia. Shocked and appalled by the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones, and the people of Slovakia. — Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) May 15, 2024 Share Updated at 12.52 EDT

36m ago 12.43 EDT Slovakia’s interior minister, Matúš Šutaj-Eštok, has said the attack on Robert Fico will be investigated “as soon as possible”, as he said the country is “experiencing the worst day of its democracy”. In a Facebook post, he wrote: For the first time in 31 years of our democratic sovereign republic, it happened that someone decided to express political opinion not in elections but with a gun on the street. He added that the assassination attempt “deserves common and unambiguous condemnation”, but warned against “spreading political hate”, adding: Reconciliation of the nation and calming of the passions can then be followed by such a step. It’s our only hope for the future. Share Updated at 12.53 EDT

52m ago 12.27 EDT Biden condemns 'horrific act of violence' Joe Biden has also released a statement in which he said he is “alarmed” to hear reports of an attack on Robert Fico. The US president said he and his wife, Jill, are praying for Fico’s swift recovery, and that their thoughts are with the Slovakian prime minister’s family and the people of Slovakia. Biden added: We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist. Share Updated at 12.34 EDT

54m ago 12.25 EDT The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, has said he is “shocked” by the news of the attack on Robert Fico. Condemning the attack on X, Borrell said his thoughts are with the Slovakian prime minister and his family, adding: Once again we are witnessing unacceptable attacks against political representatives. I am shocked by the news of the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I comdemn.



Once again we are witnessing unacceptable attacks against political representatives.



My thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family. — Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) May 15, 2024 Share Updated at 12.27 EDT

1h ago 12.21 EDT Video shows the moment that chimes rang out in Slovakia’s parliament followed by a short message informing members that the prime minister, Robert Fico, had been shot. 0:39 'The PM has been shot': Slovakian parliament told of assassination attempt – video Share

1h ago 12.17 EDT 'An attack on democracy': Slovakia's president says police have arrested attacker Slovakia’s outgoing president, Zuzana Čaputová, has confirmed that police detained the suspected perpetrator at the scene and said officials will provide more information when it is possible. “I am shocked. We are all shocked by the terrible and vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico,” she said in a statement posted to X. We may not fully comprehend yet the seriousness of what has happened today. The shooting of the Prime Minister is first and foremost an attack on a human being – but it’s also an attack on democracy. Violence is absolutely unacceptable. Hate speech and rhetoric full of hate, which we witness across society, leads to hateful acts. Please, let us stop this. She added: The police have arrested the perpetrator and will provide further information when possible. Until then, let us not pass quick judgments, please. I think that the most important thing we should all focus on at this moment is Robert Fico’s fast recovery. I am shocked. We are all shocked by the terrible and vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. We may not fully comprehend yet the seriousness of what has happened today. The shooting of the Prime Minister is first and foremost an attack on a human being — but it’s also an… pic.twitter.com/CrP6icgsWy — Zuzana Čaputová (@ZuzanaCaputova) May 15, 2024 Share Updated at 12.24 EDT

1h ago 11.52 EDT Russian ambassador condemns shooting The Russian ambassador to Slovakia has condemned today’s shooting “I strongly condemn this act of violence and express my conviction of the necessity of punishment for the perpetrators,” Igor Bratchikov said in a letter to Robert Fico, Reuters reported. Fico’s critics have raised concerns over the past months that he is taking a more Russia-friendly approach to foreign policy. Share Updated at 11.53 EDT

2h ago 11.48 EDT The Socialists and Democrats group in the European parliament said “we are deeply shocked by the news” and wished Robert Fico a “speedy and full recovery.” Europe’s Socialists suspended Fico’s Smer party last year. We are deeply shocked by the news of the attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico and strongly condemn all forms of violence against politicians.



We wish Robert Fico a speedy and full recovery. — S&D Group (@TheProgressives) May 15, 2024 Share

2h ago 11.43 EDT Israel’s foreign minister, Israel Katz, said “we send our thoughts and prayers to Prime Minister Robert Fico and the people of Slovakia during this challenging time.” On behalf of myself and the government of Israel, we send our thoughts and prayers to Prime Minister Robert Fico and the people of Slovakia during this challenging time.@SlovakiaMFA — ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) May 15, 2024 Share

2h ago 11.30 EDT Aktuality reports that Fico has three gunshot wounds: two on his arm and one in his abdomen. Share

2h ago 11.27 EDT And here is footage of Robert Fico, Slovakia’s prime minister, being wheeled into a hospital on a stretcher after today’s assassination attempt. 0:56 Slovakian PM wheeled into hospital in Banská Bystrica after helicopter transfer – video Share

2h ago 11.26 EDT Roberta Metsola, the European parliament president, has condemned today’s shooting. Shocked by the horrific attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in Handlova.



On behalf of @Europarl_EN, I condemn this violent act.



My thoughts are with him and his family during this very difficult moment. — Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) May 15, 2024 Share

2h ago 11.22 EDT Slovakia’s acting parliament president, Peter Žiga, said “I perceive this as an attack on the principles of Slovak democracy,” Reuters reported. “Such a horrible act has never happened in Slovak history. I consider it to be the result of whipped-up passions and the division of the Slovak society into two irreconcilable camps,” he added. Share

2h ago 11.17 EDT Sam Jones Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s prime minister, said he is “horrified and outraged at the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister.” “Spain stands with Robert Fico, his family and the Slovak people at this extremely difficult time. Nothing can ever justify violence.” Horrified and outraged at the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister.



Spain stands with Robert Fico, his family and the Slovak people at this extremely difficult time.



Nothing can ever justify violence. — Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) May 15, 2024 Share

2h ago 11.15 EDT Here’s more footage of today’s incident. 0:42 Slovakian PM taken to hospital after being shot in assassination attempt – video Share

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[1] Url: https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/15/georgia-protest-foreign-agents-bill-demonstrations-tbilisi-latest-live-news?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-6644d4b78f083502011119a8#block-6644d4b78f083502011119a8

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