Slovakia PM Robert Fico in critical condition after being shot; suspect detained

The prime minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, has been taken to hospital following a shooting incident. Fico is in life-threatening condition after being injured, said officials. 

One suspect was detained by the police, said reports.

A message posted on his Facebook account said that Fico "has been shot multiple times and is currently in life-threatening condition. At this moment he is transported by helicopter to Bansk Bystrica, because it would take too long to get to Bratislava due to the necessity of an acute procedure. The next few hours will decide."

Reportedly, the PM was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova. The leader was set to address a rally in Handlova, reported TA3, a Slovakian TV station. 

The Police sealed off the scene.

Peter Pellegrini, Slovakia’s president-elect said that "an assassination attempt on the Prime Minister is a threat to everything that has adorned Slovak democracy so far.”

“I am horrified by where the hatred towards another political opinion can lead. We don’t have to agree on everything, but there are plenty of ways to express our disagreement democratically and legally,” he added.

Many world leaders expressed their shock relating to the incident. Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, “The attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is appalling. We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighbouring partner state’s head of government.”

Hungary PM Viktor Orbán also expressed his shock. "I was deeply shocked by the heinous attack against my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. We pray for his health and quick recovery! God bless him and his country!" he wrote on X. 

"Shocked to hear this awful news. All our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family," said UK PM Rishi Sunak.