Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was critically injured after being shot four times in close range is said to be reaching a “positive prognosis” after undergoing further surgery, according to news reports. The 59-year-old leader was shot in the small town of Handlova on Wednesday.
Fico is now said to be in a serious but stable condition. However, it is unlikely he can be moved back to Bratislava within the next few days, the BBC reported.
“Approaching Positive Prognosis”
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak stated that the various medical procedures Fico had undergone were “beginning to bear fruit” and there was no need to formally take over his official duties. According to the BBC, he further said that ”several miracles” have taken place at the hospital where Fico is being treated, and then thanked medical staff for their efforts.
"I can't find words of gratitude for the fact that we are steadily approaching that positive prognosis," he was quoted by BBC. He said that Kalinak said the prime minister's condition was still "really serious". "Certainly, it does not allow us to make such a transfer in the near future — that is, at the end of the weekend", he said as per BBC.
Fico was shot four times in the abdomen, arm and leg while he was greeting his supporters. His injuries were said to be severe. He was first rushed to a local hospital and then taken by helicopter to a major trauma centre in Banska Bystrica, about 30 kilometres away.
Fico went through various surgeries, the latest being to remove dead tissue.
Suspect Was Involved In Various Political Organisations
The man who is charged with firing gunshots at the Slovakian PM has been placed in custody until his trial, as per a BBC report. The alleged assailant has not been formally named, but Slovak reports have widely identified him as Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old who lives in the town of Levice.
Cintula is said to be a poet, BBC reported quoting Pravda newspaper while the Sme newspaper reported that he had been involved in many different politically-based organisations, with different ideologies.
Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said on Thursday that the suspect had acted alone, he also added that the suspect had previously taken part in anti-government protests.
Slovakia Deeply Polarised
According to the BBC report, Slovakia has been left deeply polarised. Kalinak had called the country to engage on a path of tolerance and accused the opposition and media of stirring up hatred.
Last year, in September, Fico returned to power in Slovakia after elections at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition. The political climate has turned particularly hostile, although the division dates back to 2018 — following the murder of a journalist who was investigating high-level corruption. Fico had to step down amid protests.
Fico promised to end military aid to Kyiv, veto Ukraine's NATO ambition before being re-elected.