Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stays in critical situation and nonetheless faces dangers of problems however has stabilised, officers stated on Saturday, following Wednesday’s assassination try.
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The prime minister, 59, was shot at 5 instances at point-blank vary in an assault that despatched shockwaves via Europe and raised considerations over the polarised state of politics in Slovakia, a central European nation of 5.4 million folks.
“We have not won yet, that is important to say,” Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kaliniak stated, giving an replace on Fico’s situation in entrance of the hospital within the city of Banka Bystrica the place the prime minister is being handled.
The Slovak Specialised Criminal Court dominated on Saturday that the suspect, recognized by prosecutors as Juraj C., would stay in custody after being charged with tried homicide.
Read extra‘Lone wolf’ suspect in Slovak PM’s capturing charged with tried homicide
Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok has stated the suspected attacker, who was detained on the spot, acted alone. The suspect had beforehand taken half in anti-government protests, he stated on Thursday.
Kalinak stated there was no have to formally take over Fico’s official duties whereas some communication with the premier was going down.
Fico underwent a two-hour operation on Friday that improved prospects for his restoration.
“We are succeeding in gradually nearing a positive prognosis,” Kalinak stated.
“In the initial hours, the prognosis was very, very bad, you know that shots into the abdomen are basically fatal, in this case (the doctors) managed to overturn this state and further stabilise the condition.”
Fico nonetheless confronted a “big risk” of problems, Kalinak stated. “The body’s reaction to a shooting wound is always very serious and brings (the risk of) a number of complications, which lasts for 4-5 days, which is today and tomorrow.”
He stated it was unlikely Fico might be transferred to the capital, Bratislava, in coming days.
About 100 Fico supporters, some carrying flowers, gathered on Saturday outdoors the F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital the place the premier was being handled.
Local information media say the suspect is a 71-year-old former safety guard at a shopping center and the creator of three collections of poetry.
The court docket dominated he would stay in custody pending an investigation due to the danger of escape or felony exercise. The resolution is topic to attraction.
Since returning for a fourth time as prime minister final October, Fico has shifted coverage shortly in what opposition critics referred to as an influence seize. His authorities has scaled again help for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, and is revamping the general public broadcaster amid concern from critics about media freedom.
(Reuters)
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240518-slovakia-s-fico-further-stabilised-after-assassination-attempt-judge-rules-suspect-to-stay-in-custody