‘Cowardly and dastardly act’: PM Modi condemns attack on Slovakia PM Fico
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New Delhi, May 16: After Slovakia’s Prime Minister HE Robert Fico in Handlova was shot and wounded in a public gathering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the shooting calling it a cowardly and dastardly act.
Expressing his shock over the incident, PM Modi wrote on X, "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".
Deeply shocked at the news of the shooting at Slovakia’s Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Robert Fico. 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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 16, 2024
Several shots were fired at the scene when the PM came out to meet the people following a cabinet meeting. The alleged shooter was arrested on-site and the area was evacuated. The 59-year-old was shot five times, following which he was in critical condition.
Fico was then seen on the ground with blood stains. The incident occurred after a government meeting in Handlova, after which the PM was hospitalised. He was transported to a hospital in Banska Bystrica, where he underwent surgery.
As per a Reuters report, Fico is no longer in a life-threatening condition. News outlet Aktuality.sk cited an unnamed source saying Fico was out of surgery and stable.
The suspect has been detained in the case so far. The incident comes just three weeks before the critical European Parliament elections, where populist and hard-right parties in the 27-nation bloc are expected to make significant gains.