Slovakia’s Shot Premier Spending Pentecost in Hospital
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
BRATISLAVA/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Slovakia’s populist prime minister Robert Fico spent Pentecost Sunday still in hospital, four days after he was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt, but was given “a positive prognosis” that he would survive.
Despite the shootings, which sent shockwaves across the European Union, “the worst of what we feared has passed, at least for the moment,” said Robert Kalinak, the country’s defense minister.
“But his condition remains serious,” he added outside the F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital where Fico is being treated. Crowds have been carrying flowers, gathered outside the hospital
“His condition is stable with a positive prognosis,” Kalinak could tell Fico supporters and reporters. He recalled that Fuco suffered four gunshot wounds, including in his stomach.
Kalinak spoke after the suspected gunman appeared in a court hearing on Saturday in Bratislava, the capital, amid growing fears about the future of the deeply divided EU nation.
Journalists were kept behind a gate by armed police officers wearing balaclavas and were banned from covering the hearing.
Fico was shot several times at point-blank range during a rally in the mining town of Handlová, some 150 kilometers (94 miles) northeast of the capital, Bratislava.
FIRING SHOTS
Footage showed the gunman being pushed to the ground only after he was able to fire his shots, raising questions about the level of security provided to high-profile persons in the country where earlier an investigative journalist and his fiancé were killed.
Fico had more surgery on Friday as the country reeled from the most severe attack on a European leader since the assassination of Serbian Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic in 2003.
The suspect is a 71-year-old man, identified as Juraj Cintula, a self-described writer who founded the Rainbow Literary Club and previously worked as a security guard at a shopping mall.
Slovak media cited his son as saying his father was the legal gun license holder.
Cintula is also allegedly linked to a pro-Russian paramilitary group. The group, known as Slovenskí Branci, was accused of trying to recruit young men across Slovakia for its organization. On social media, Cintula was seen holding a speech next to group members wearing camouflage.
In the accompanying text attributed to Cintula, he expressed support for self-organized militias, which should be allowed to protect “the inhabitants, the country, tradition, (and) culture” from migrants outside Europe.
A video appeared to show the alleged shooter in detention admitting he was responsible for attacking Fico. He said he disagreed with the government’s policies, particularly what he described as the “liquidation” of the media.
UNDER PRESSURE
Fico had come under pressure for suggesting to close and replace the current public broadcaster RTVS and replace it with what critics view could be “a mouthpiece” for Fico and his government.
The prime minister, who took office in October after his centrist populist Smer party won a general election, also faced protests over plans to close a special prosecutor’s office for high-level corruption.
Additionally, a bill labeling civil society groups receiving more than 5,000 euros ($5,450) in international funding as “organizations with foreign support” also triggered worries in the EU and non-governmental organizations.
Advocacy group Amnesty International Slovakia described the bill as “a thinly disguised attempt to stigmatize civil society organizations that are critical of the authorities and hamper their vital work.”
Yet, as the politician and married father of one fought for his life on Sunday, church leaders of different denominations made clear they would pray this Pentecost for his full recovery.
“We condemn this act of violence, we pray for the recovery of Prime Minister Robert Fico, and we invite everyone to unite in prayer for this purpose,” said Slovakia’s Greek Catholic bishops.
“Such (an) injustice and attack on a public official is absolutely unacceptable from a human and Christian point of view and points to our inability to respect different opinions and conduct dialogue in a civilized manner,” they added.
At least one priest noted an increase in visitors after Wednesday’s shooting, with many praying for the 59-year-old politician and the nation of 5.4 million people.