Robert Fico, scene of the attack
By Our Reporter
President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, has joined other world leaders to condemn an attack on Slovak Prime Minister, Robert Fico, who is currently in a “life-threatening condition” after being shot.
The prime minister was shot “multiple times” on Wednesday in an “assassination attempt”, a statement on his official social media page said.
The 59-year-old leader was shot in the abdomen in the central town of Handlova.
Police sealed off the scene, and a suspect has been detained, according to local media reports
Biden condemned the shooting as a “horrific act of violence”, adding that he and first lady Jill Biden “are praying for a swift recovery, and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia”.
In the same vein, Russian President, Vladimir Putin also condemned the attack on Fico. Putin said “monstrous crime”. “There can be no justification for this monstrous crime. I know Robert Fico as a courageous and strong-minded man. I very much hope that these qualities will help him to survive this difficult situation,” Putin said.
The Russian leader wished Fico “a speedy and full recovery”.
In a related development, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres decried the shocking attack carried out against the prime minister of Slovakia. His office said.
“Guterres’s thoughts are with the prime minister and his loved ones at this difficult moment”, his spokesperson Farhan Haq said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also added his voice to those who condemned the attack on Fico
He said “I strongly condemn the vile attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine democracy, our most precious common good. My thoughts are with PM Fico, his family,” von der Leyen said.
French President Emmanuel Macron said on social media that he was “shocked” by the attack.
“Shocked by the shooting of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. I strongly condemn this attack,” he said. “My thoughts and solidarity are with him, his family and the people of Slovakia.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, decried the “cowardly” attack and denounced “violence” in European politics.
“I am deeply shocked by the news of the cowardly attack on Slovakian Prime Minister Fico,” Scholz said.
NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg said his thoughts were with Fico and the people of Slovakia. He said
“I wish him strength for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones and the people of Slovakia,” he said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the attack and “all forms of violence” on “democracy and freedom”.
“I learned with deep shock the news of the cowardly attack,” Meloni said in a statement. She also stressed her government’s “strongest condemnation of all forms of violence and attacks on the cardinal principles of democracy and freedom”.
Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that it “condemns the assassination attempt against the prime minister of the Slovak Republic” and “wishes [him] good health and a speedy recovery”.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban decried the “heinous” attack against Fico.
“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!” Orban said.
So also was Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. He said Fico was a “great friend” and he would pray for his health.
“I am shocked by the attempted assassination of Robert Fico, a great friend to me and to Serbia. Dear friend, I pray for you and for your health,” Vucic said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said he was “horrified” by the attack and “nothing can every justify violence”.
“Horrified and outraged at the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister. Spain stands with Robert Fico, his family and the Slovak people at this extremely difficult time. Nothing can ever justify violence,” he wrote on social media.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer said he was shocked at the attack and warned “hatred and violence must not take hold in our democracies.”
“The attempt on the life of my Slovak colleague Robert Fico shocks me deeply. Just a few days ago we spoke on the phone and talked intensively about security issues. I wish him a speedy and complete recovery! Hatred and violence must not take hold in our democracies and must be fought with all determination!” Nehammer said on social media.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemned the attack and warned that violence should not become normalised.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence against our neighbouring partner state’s head of government. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form or sphere,” he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan “strongly” condemned “the heinous assassination attempt”.
“I extend my get-well wishes to the people and government of Slovakia on behalf of my country and nation,” Erdogan said and wished him a speedy recovery.
