SIS: Assassination Attempt on Premier Most Serious Security Incident in Slovakia

Bratislava, 15 May (TASR) - The assassination attempt on Premier Robert Fico (Smer-SD) in 2024 was the most serious security incident to occur in the era of the independent Slovak Republic, the Slovak Intelligence Service (SIS) has stated in a press release published on the second anniversary of the incident. SIS stressed that an assassination attempt on a legitimately elected government official is inadmissible and unacceptable in a democratic society. SIS director Pavol Gaspar stated that two years after the attack, the issue of politically motivated extremism has become even more pronounced. "In this context, SIS has focused on the issue of violent activism driven by hatred and intolerance towards ideological or political opponents," he said. Gaspar also pointed out that the content of narratives being spread, especially in the online environment, often lacks a factual basis. However, the mass sharing of disinformation and its potential media coverage contribute towards polarisation and the deepening of tensions in society. "We continuously inform the authorised recipients about the content of hate speech, threats and intimidation," added the SIS head. Friday marks two years since the assassination attempt on the premier following an away-from-home government session in Handlova (Trencin region). Premier Fico was shot and seriously wounded by pensioner Juraj Cintula. In late April, the Supreme Court upheld a 21-year prison sentence for the perpetrator and confirmed that he committed the act with the intention of undermining the constitutional order of the state. ko/df