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Agence France-Presse

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico blamed his opponents for fostering the “hatred” that led to an assassination attempt against him, in his first address since the shooting.
Looking calm but speaking with long pauses, the 59-year-old also said in the video on Facebook that he could resume work as early as this month.
“I feel no hatred towards the stranger who shot me,” Fico said
“I forgive him and let him sort out what he did and why he did it in his own head.”

But Fico said the accused gunman was not “some madman” but “a messenger of the evil and political hatred” fostered by the opposition in Slovakia.
Fico was shot four times at close range on May 15 as he greeted supporters after a government meeting in the central town of Handlova.
The alleged perpetrator, identified by Slovak media as 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula, has been charged with premeditated attempted murder and remanded in custody.
Fico was taken to a hospital in the nearby city of Banska Bystrica after the shooting, where he underwent two lengthy surgeries.
He was transferred for home treatment to the capital Bratislava on May 31.
Fico said in the video posted on Wednesday that “if everything goes as planned, I could gradually return to work at the turn of June and July”.
But most of the 14-minute message was devoted to a robust defence of his views and accusations against political opponents, critical media and non-governmental organisations.
“The opposition was unable to assess … where their aggressive and hateful politics has led a section of society and it was only a matter of time before a tragedy would occur.
“If it continues as it is now, the horror of May 15 … will continue and there will be more victims. I don’t doubt it, not for a second,” he said.

Fico came to power most recently following elections last year and previously headed governments in 2006-10 and 2012-18.
He was forced to resign in 2018 after an investigative journalist’s murder exposed high-level corruption and sparked anti-government sentiment.
Since returning to office last October, Fico has made a string of remarks that have soured ties between Slovakia and neighbouring Ukraine.
He has questioned Ukraine’s sovereignty and called for a compromise with Russia, which invaded in 2022.
After he was elected, Slovakia stopped sending weapons to Ukraine.
He also sparked mass protests with controversial changes, including a media law that critics say will undermine the impartiality of public television and radio.


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Crime

Slovakia’s Fico lashes opponents in first address since assassination attempt

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in his video message. Photo: Robert Fico via Facebook

Security personnel help Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico after he was shot on May 15. Photo: RTVS via AFP

The alleged perpetrator, identified by Slovak media as 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula. Photo: Markiza TV via Reuters

2 surgeries later, Slovak PM no longer in danger after assassination attempt

Rescue workers wheel Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was shot and injured, to a hospital on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak addresses press in front of the F D Roosevelt University Hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Prime Minister Robert Fico is being treated after he was shot “multiple times” on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Police officers escort a man suspected of conducting the shooting attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, identified by the prosecution as Juraj C. Photo: Reuters

Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico is serving his fourth term as prime minister after campaigning on proposals for peace between Russia and Slovakia’s neighbour Ukraine, and to halt military aid to Kyiv, which his government has done. Photo: AFP

Suspect in shooting of Slovakia PM Robert Fico described as a ‘friendly, helpful neighbour’

Police arrest a man after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot on Wednesday. Photo: Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP

Security officers move Slovak PM Robert Fico in a car after the shooting. Photo: Reuters

The flat of the alleged shooter. Photo: AFP

Shaken by assassination attempt on Slovak PM Robert Fico, EU wonders if June elections can be free of violence

Security personnel carry Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico towards a vehicle after he was shot. Photo: RTVS via AFP

Rescuers transport Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico to a hospital. Photo: Jan Kroslak/TASR via AP

Security personnel carrying Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico towards a vehicle after he was shot. Photo: RTVS via AFP

Police arrest a suspect after the shooting. Photo: Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico. File photo: AP

Slovakia PM Robert Fico in ‘very serious’ but stable condition, suspect charged with attempted murder

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is moved from a helicopter to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, Slovakia, on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

Police arrest a man after Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot. Photo: Radovan Stoklasa/TASR via AP

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico. File photo: AFP

News

World

Europe

Prime Minister Robert Fico appears in a video message following the May 15 shooting that left him badly injured


Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was seriously injured in a shooting last month, has said that he expects to resume his work by the end of June, holding the opposition partly responsible for the attack.


European Union

Slovakia

Slovakia’s Fico lashes opponents in first address since assassination attempt

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}Prime Minister Robert Fico appears in a video message following the May 15 shooting that left him badly injured

Prime Minister Robert Fico appears in a video message following the May 15 shooting that left him badly injured