Europe's Slovakian Prime Minister's first statement after a failed assassination attempt
Robert Fico posted a video online where he addressed the attempt on his life. "There is no reason to believe that this was an attack by a lone madman," he stated.
On Wednesday, Robert Fico posted the video on Facebook. This is his first public statement since the attack. In the video, the Slovak Prime Minister blamed the opposition and "political hatered" for the attack.
He also stated that - if his health permits - he will return to his official duties at the end of June and the beginning of July.
The Prime Minister emphasized that he does not feel hatred towards the attacker, whom he called "activist of the Slovak opposition."
He stated that he would not take any legal action or seek damages. He called the failed assassin "a messenger of evil and political hatred," which the frustrated Slovak opposition has developed to unbelievable proportions. The opposition's hatred and aggressiveness, tolerated by the media, peaked after the Slovak presidential elections this spring.
"I want to ask the anti-government media, which are paid by the financial structure of Soros, not to go down this path," appealed Fico.
The politician also addressed the hospital staff, where he stayed to thank the doctors and medics in Banská Bystrica, the paramedics' team from Handlová, and the rescue helicopter crew.
Attempt on Fico's life. attacker charged
On May 15, 71-year-old Juraj C. shot Fico following an out-of-town government meeting in the town of Handlová. The politician sustained four gunshot wounds to his abdominal cavity and parts of his musculoskeletal system, and his digestive tract was affected.
The attacker was arrested immediately after the attack. He was charged with attempted premeditated murder, which carries a penalty of 25 years in prison or life imprisonment. Before the court decided on his arrest, he justified his act by opposing the government's policies. The Slovak Ministry of the Interior reported that investigators are also working on the version that the attacker did not act alone.
