Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BeyondGeography

(39,907 posts)
Wed May 15, 2024, 09:26 AM May 2024

Slovak PM Fico in hospital after being shot

Source: BBC

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been shot and wounded, according to local media reports.Mr Fico was shot in front of a cultural community centre in the town of Handlova, where a government meeting had been held, reports say.

Several shots were heard, according to journalists on the scene.
The Slovak leader has been taken to hospital and his alleged assailant detained by police.

Handlova is around 180km (112 miles) north-east of the capital Bratislava. A video showed several men rushing to detain the suspect just outside the cultural centre in Handlova. The BBC has not yet verified the footage.

…Mr Fico returned to power in Slovakia after elections last September, at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition.

Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg6761ggxz1o.amp

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

riversedge

(72,237 posts)
1. ⚡️WATCH: The first footage after the shootout in #Slovakia. Prime Minister #Fico is being seated in a car after the assa
Wed May 15, 2024, 09:51 AM
May 2024

Looks like NO ambulance.


⚡️WATCH: The first footage after the shootout in #Slovakia.

Prime Minister #Fico is being seated in a car after the assassination attempt.


muriel_volestrangler

(102,195 posts)
4. That police (or 'secret service' or whatever) car could get him to a hospital faster than an ambulance could arrive (nt)
Wed May 15, 2024, 10:52 AM
May 2024

muriel_volestrangler

(102,195 posts)
6. "Local media have said the suspect is a 71-year-old writer and political activist" - at updated link
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:23 PM
May 2024

Doesn't tell us much, but somehow you don't expect a 71 year old to resort to this.

Torchlight

(4,186 posts)
13. You're right. I triple-read your post to make sure I wasn't seeing things.
Wed May 15, 2024, 03:14 PM
May 2024

I don't think anyone would guess his age the first time, or even within ten years of it.

From his age and nothing else, I'd guess this was a measured, calculated, long-debated act, regardless of motive.

wolfie001

(3,217 posts)
7. Quick googling has produced some startling info on this RW leader
Wed May 15, 2024, 12:35 PM
May 2024

He's vehemently anti-gay. Calls it a "perversion" and he'll "never accept it". May have been tied to a journalist's assassination, is a very pro-Putin type. The assailant may have many memories of the brutal Soviet occupation.

Warpy

(112,945 posts)
8. He's a polarizing figure, that's for sure
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:00 PM
May 2024

and Slovakia hasn't been free long enough to trust elections. My best guess says that had he not been shot, he'd have faced a no confidence vote sooner rather than later. Now he won't. Thanks a lot, gun toting asshole.

He has kept aid to Ukraine going. He might be a RW nutjob, but he does know what the real threat to the region is..

orangecrush

(21,120 posts)
9. He is a Pro Putin pig
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:07 PM
May 2024

"Fico’s government, upon coming to power in September, immediately halted arms deliveries to Ukraine, prompting nationwide protests against its pro-Russian stance and several other policies."

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/5/15/ukraine-withdraws-troops-from-kharkiv-as-russia-pushes-deeper-into-region


Happy Hoosier

(8,229 posts)
10. Gee, that's a shame....
Wed May 15, 2024, 01:08 PM
May 2024

... not that I'm advocating political violence against an elected leader. To be clear, I am not.

Also not shedding a tear that this Putin stooge might croak.

muriel_volestrangler

(102,195 posts)
16. Deputy PM says condition is no longer "life threatening"
Wed May 15, 2024, 05:02 PM
May 2024
Robert Fico “is expected to survive” following surgery, his deputy prime minister Tomas Taraba said.

Taraba told the BBC Fico is is no longer in a life threatening situation.

He said: “Fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive. he’s not in a life threatening situation at this moment.”

Taraba added: “He was heavily injured - one bullet went thought the stomach and the second one hit the joint - immediately he was transported to the hospital and then to the operation.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2024/may/15/georgia-protest-foreign-agents-bill-demonstrations-tbilisi-latest-live-news?CMP=share_btn_url&page=with%3Ablock-66451ff98f08350201111d98#block-66451ff98f08350201111d98

blue-wave

(4,488 posts)
17. Just watched a recent
Wed May 15, 2024, 06:34 PM
May 2024

Warthog defense video with claims that the assailant has connections with a group loyal to Russia.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Slovak PM Fico in hospita...