‘Positive prognosis’ for Slovak PM’s health but condition is serious; suspect in detention

ASlovakcourt on Saturday (May 18) decided to put the suspect in the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico in pre-trial detention, a spokeswoman told the news agency AFP.

"The reason... is concerns about a potential escape or that the criminal activity may continue," said Katarina Kudjakova, spokeswoman for the special penal court in Pezinok northeast of Bratislava.

Meanwhile,Zuzana Dolinkova, Slovakia's health minister said that the prognosis for Fico's health condition after Wednesday's assassination attempt was "positive".

"Yesterday's surgery, which took two hours, contributed to a positive prognosis of the prime minister's health condition," Dolinkova told reporters outside the University F. D. Roosevelt Hospital in Banska Bystrica.

Fico was taken to the hospital by helicopter after the shooting and according to Defence Minister Robert Kalinak, the prime minister's condition is still too grave to transport him to the capital, Bratislava.

"The patient is conscious now, his condition is stable, but he is still in intensive care. His condition is really serious," said Miriam Lapunikova, director of the Roosevelt Hospital.

On Wednesday, the 59-year-old was attacked as he greeted supporters following a government meeting in the former coal mining town of Handlova.

The suspect was tackled to the ground and arrested. The man wasidentified by Slovak media as 71-year-old poet Juraj Cintula.

Fico's surgeries

Officials said that the man fired five shots at Fico and hit him four times, including in the abdomen. The PM was taken to hospital by helicopter and underwent five hours of surgery. He had another two-hour surgery on Friday.

Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told TA3, "If the shot went just a few centimetres higher, it would have hit the prime minister's liver."

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Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak told reporters in front of the hospital where Fico was being treated that there was no need to formally take over Fico's official duties and that some communication with the premier was taking place.

The attack sent shockwaves throughout Europe with world leaders condemning the attack.

The 59-year-old Fico took office in October after his party won a general election and he is serving his fourth term as prime minister. During the campaign,he proposed peace between Russia and Slovakia's neighbour Ukraine and also vowed to haltmilitary aid to Kyiv, which his government later did.

(With inputs from agencies)