MORNING NEWS HIGHLIGHTS - Thursday, May 16, 2024 - 9 a.m.
16. mája 2024 9:00
TASR brings a quick morning overview of the most important events seen in Slovakia on the previous day (Wednesday, May 15):
HANDLOVA - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) was shot and injured after an away-from-home government meeting in Handlova (Trencin region), according to information confirmed by Parliamentary Vice-Chair Lubos Blaha (Smer-SD), who suspended the House session.
According to a TASR reporter, several shots were fired at the scene and the assailant was detained. The area in front of the Culture House in Handlova, where the government meeting was held, is currently evacuated.
BRATISLAVA - Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is in a life-threatening condition after the shooting in Handlova (Trencin region), TASR learnt from premier's social network profile.
The prime minister is being transported by helicopter to Banska Bystrica.
"An attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico's life was committed at an away-from-home government meeting in Handlova and he is currently in a life-threatening condition," said the office, adding that he is heading to a hospital in Banska Bystrica because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute intervention. "The next few hours will decide," added the prime minister's social network profile.
BRATISLAVA - The condition of Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) is extremely grave and he is still undergoing surgery at Roosvelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica, Vice-premier and Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) has reported.
"We have experienced a really tragic day, which for us means fighting for the life of the prime minister," Kalinak said, adding that he had no good news for the time being and that he put his trust in the hands of the attending staff.
"According to the information at our disposal, [Fico] has suffered serious polytrauma from several gunshot wounds and his condition is extremely grave," the defence minister said.
BRATISLAVA - The attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday has been classified as an assassination, with the perpetrator firing five shots, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) has reported, adding that Fico's condition is critical.
Initial information, the minister said, show that the act was clearly politically motivated. The perpetrator made the decision shortly after the most recent general election.
Sutaj Estok noted that the investigation is still ongoing. "We are doing everything possible to investigate this heinous act," he stated.
At the same time, the minister added that he'll call for the convening of a special session of the Security Council.
BRATISLAVA - The hateful rhetoric we are witnessing in society leads to hateful acts, stated President Zuzana Caputova in response to the attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) on Wednesday.
The head of state called it an attack on democracy, adding that any violence is unacceptable. She asked that no snap judgements be made in connection with the current situation.
"I'm shocked, we're all shocked, by the terrible and insidious attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Something has happened, the gravity of which we cannot seem to realise or even comprehend yet. The physical attack on the prime minister is first and foremost an attack on a human being, but it's also an attack on democracy," the head of state said in a statement at the Presidential Palace.
WASHINGTON - US President Joe Biden has condemned Wednesday's assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, calling it a "horrific act of violence".
"I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. [My wife] Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia," reads Biden's statement released on the White House's official website.
According to the president, the US Embassy in Bratislava is in close touch with the Slovak government and is ready to assist.
MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin was "outraged" by the news of Wednesday's assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in the town of Handlova, TASR has learnt from a statement by the Kremlin.
According to Putin, "this heinous crime cannot be justified".
"I know Robert Fico as a courageous and determined man. I really hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation," the Russian president said, wishing Fico a speedy recovery.
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