Slovak PM Robert Fico 'not in life-threatening situation': Dy PM gives update

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico escaped a life-threatening situation after surviving an assassination attempt, as per media reports.

Slovak Deputy Prime Minister and Environment Minister Tomas Taraba reportedly said,"I was very shocked ... fortunately as far as I know the operation went well - and I guess in the end he will survive ... he's not in a life-threatening situation at this moment."

This comes as the Slovak PM, while exiting a government meeting, was shot five times. He was initially said to have been critically wounded andundergoing surgery in the aftermath of the gun wounds on his chest.

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The attack believed to be "politically motivated" shocked Slovakia and drew international condemnation, with US President Joe Biden informing that US embassy is "in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist.”

“I am alarmed to hear reports of an attack on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Jill and I are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia. We condemn this horrific act of violence. Our embassy is in close touch with the government of Slovakia and ready to assist,” Biden reportedly said in a statement.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep shock at the news of the shooting. "I strongly condemn this cowardly and dastardly act and wish PM Fico a speedy recovery. India stands in solidarity with the people of the Slovak Republic," he wrote on X.

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Interior Minister Sutaj Estok said, "This assassination (attempt) was politically motivated and the perpetrator's decision was born closely after the presidential election."

71-year-old suspect nabbed

A 71-year-old shooter was detained. Hailing from the Slovakian town of Levice, the nabbed suspect was a founder of the DUHA (Rainbow) Literary Club, as per media reports.

The individual made several political remarks on his social media, including one eight years ago where he could be seen saying that "The world is full of violence and weapons. People seem to be going crazy."

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Moreover, in the same video, he also expressed apprehensions regarding immigration as well as "hatred and extremism."He also asserted that European governments "have no alternative to this chaos".

Fico's tenure has been marked by his pro-Russian stance amid the Ukraine conflict, something that has stirred debate. Notably, Slovakia is a member of both NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) and the European Union (EU).

(With inputs from agencies)