Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico in life-threatening condition after being shot
- A witness heard several shots fired after the meeting in Handlova northeast of the capital Bratislava, and police detained a man
- Fico returned as PM of Slovakia, which is a member of the EU and Nato, for the fourth time last year after shifting political gears to appeal to a changing electorate
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is in a life-threatening condition after he was shot in the abdomen after a government meeting on Wednesday, the Slovak government office said in an emailed statement, adding that he was being transported by a helicopter to Banska Bystrica hospital.
A Reuters witness heard several shots fired after the meeting in Handlova northeast of the capital Bratislava. Police detained a man and security officials pushed someone into a car and drove off, the witness said.
Slovak news agency TASR quoted parliamentary vice-chairman Lubos Blaha as saying Fico had been shot and hurt. Broadcaster TA3 reported four shots were fired, one hitting Fico, 59, in the abdomen.
Emergency services said a helicopter had been sent for a 59-year-old man in Handlova after receiving information that he had been shot.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, condemned what she described as a vile attack on Fico.