The 71-year-old suspect who allegedly shot and killed Slovakia’s Prime Minister Roberto Fico appeared in an undated Facebook video that could shed some light on his motive, in which he said: I don’t agree with this,” he was reportedly heard saying.
Fico, 59, was shot multiple times on Wednesday as he greeted supporters at an event outside a cultural center in the town of Handlova, but is expected to survive, Defense Minister Robert Kalina said. Ta.
Interior Minister Matusz Stasi Estok said a suspect was arrested soon after the attack, adding that an initial investigation had revealed “clear political motives.”
In a video published on Facebook, a person matching the image of the man detained on Wednesday can be heard saying, “I don’t agree with the government’s policies,” Reuters reported.
Slovak Prime Minister expected to survive assassination attempt as shock reverberates across Europe
Police arrested a man after Prime Minister Roberto Fico was shot and wounded in the Slovak city of Handlova on Wednesday, May 15. (Radovan Stoklasa/TASR, via AP)
“The mass media has been liquidated. Why is this happening?” [public broadcaster] Is RTVS being attacked? ” the man continued, reportedly also questioning the removal of the chairman of the state judicial council.
In late April, Slovakia’s government approved a controversial overhaul of the country’s public radio and television services, a move that critics say would give the government complete control of the media.
Fico said changes were needed because the RTVS was politically biased and “at odds with the Slovak government.” The proposed changes mean that it will be replaced by a new organization.
But the Associated Press reported that thousands of people rallied in the Slovak capital in March to denounce the plan, which was widely criticized by local journalists, opposition parties, international news organizations and the European Commission.
Slovak Prime Minister shot multiple times
On Wednesday, May 15, Slovakia’s Prime Minister Roberto Fico was shot dead in Handlova, and one person was taken into custody. (Reuters/Radovan Stoklasa)
According to Reuters, Slovak media reported that the suspect is a former security guard at a shopping mall and a member of the Slovak Writers’ Association.
He has reportedly been charged with attempted murder and could be sentenced to 25 years to life if convicted.
Slovakian Prime Minister Roberto Fico speaks with the public before a Cabinet outing in Handlova, Slovakia, on Wednesday, May 15. Later, after the meeting, he was shot in the same area. (Radovan Stoklasa/TASR, via AP)
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President Biden and other international leaders condemned the shooting, with Slovakia’s president-elect Peter Pellegrini calling it an “assassination attempt.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
