Slovakia's Prime Minister, Robert Fico, has been discharged from the hospital following treatment for injuries sustained during an assassination attempt. The incident occurred on May 15, 2024, in Handlová, about 140 kilometers northeast of the capital, Bratislava, where Fico was greeting supporters. A man approached, extended his arm, and fired five shots, hitting Fico in the abdomen.
Captured on video, the immediate aftermath saw the suspect tackled and arrested. Fico underwent a five-hour surgery to address multiple wounds and a subsequent two-hour operation to remove dead tissue. The Specialized Criminal Court in Pezinok has ordered the suspect to remain in custody, and authorities have not released his identity or specific details about the case.
Hospital director Miriam Lapunikova, who oversees care in Banská Bystrica, confirmed Fico's release and transport to his home in Bratislava, praising him as a "disciplined patient." Initially believed to be a lone political attack, officials later suggested potential involvement of a third party aiding the perpetrator.
Fico's tenure has been marked by controversial measures, including attempts to assume control of public broadcasting and amending the penal code to eliminate a special anti-corruption prosecutor, raising concerns about an autocratic shift.