Update: 

The next few hours are critical for the health of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, after an assassination attempt was made against him earlier this afternoon in the town of Hadlova in central Slovakia.

According to an update provided by his official Facebook page, Fizzo “has been shot several times” and is being taken by helicopter to Banská Bystrica.

Recall that shooting occurred at noon on Wednesday shortly before a meeting of the Slovak government in the central Slovak town of Hadlova, about 180 kilometers outside Bratislava, according to TASR news agency.

According to Slovak media, the target was the country’s Prime Minister, Robert Fitso, who was wounded while waving to supporters outside the House of Culture and was taken to hospital, Slovak media said. Fizzo, 59, was reportedly wounded in the abdomen, Reuters reported, and the gunman was arrested shortly after the shooting near Hadlova Square.

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Gunshots were fired at noon Wednesday shortly before a meeting of the Slovak government in the central Slovak town of Hadlova, about 180km outside Bratislava, according to TASR news agency.

According to Slovak media, the target was the country’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, who was wounded while waving to supporters outside the House of Culture and was taken to hospital, Slovak media said. Fico, 59, was reportedly wounded in the abdomen, Reuters reported, and the gunman was arrested shortly after the shooting near Hadlova Square.

Watch a video of the moment when the wounded Fico is being taken away by his security men

⚡️⚡️⚡️ The first minutes after the attack on Robert #Fico – the prime minister’s security guards evacuate him to his motorcade while eyewitnesses hold the shooter

According to preliminary information from Slovak media, Fico was shot multiple times. One to the abdomen, one to the… pic.twitter.com/vhcYPPjjlg

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) May 15, 2024

Watch the following video of the moment of arrest

BREAKING: Eyewitnesses heard three or four shots after a meeting of the Slovak Cabinet of Ministers when Robert Fico appeared in public.

Slovak media report that the prime minister is being taken to the hospital.

The video presumably shows the moment the attacker was detained. https://t.co/k0z72lBNyS pic.twitter.com/1VcQr3pl4P

— The General (@GeneralMCNews) May 15, 2024

A witness told Reuters that he heard several gunshots and saw a man being arrested by police.

“There was a crowd of people waiting outside the meeting building and one of them started shooting. He was immediately subdued and arrested by security guards while they removed the prime minister from the scene. The gunman allegedly targeted the prime minister himself,” another witness said, adding that two shots were heard.

Who is Robert Fico

Robert Fico is the chairman of the communist party “Direction – Slovak Social Democracy” and is known for his pro-Russian and anti-Western rhetoric.

His political career began in the 1990s and since then he has held several important positions, including that of Prime Minister of Slovakia in three different terms: 2006-2010, 2012-2018 and again from 2023 to the present.

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Fico is known for his populist positions and his ability to navigate Slovakia’s complex political waters, boasting an impressive record as the longest serving prime minister in the country’s history.

However, his tenure has not been without controversy, including allegations of corruption and involvement in political crises, such as the crisis sparked by the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak, which led to the resignation of his government in 2018.

With his far-right rhetoric, he managed to regain the trust of the electorate, returning to the position of prime minister in 2023.