The statements came from Juraj Cintula, a 71-year-old writer, who on Wednesday fired several shots at Slovakia’s prime minister, Robert Fico, who remains in critical condition. A video circulating on social media captures the alleged attacker in police premises addressing the camera with those words. The event has raised urgent questions about security and political tensions in the country.
Originating from Levice, a city in the southwest of Slovakia, the suspected assailant reportedly held a firearms license. Local press notes that he was once a member of a literary club and had previously worked as a security guard at a shopping center. Authorities have yet to release a full motive, but a pattern of political grievance appears to be a central theme in his public statements.
Eight years earlier, he announced online that he was gathering signatures to form a political party named the Movement Against Violence. In a post from that time, he argued that violence is often a reaction by people expressing discontent, adding that while people can show dissatisfaction, they should not resort to violence.
The Slovak prime minister Robert Fico was wounded when gunfire erupted at the end of a government meeting held in Handlová, a central town in the country. Party officials connected the incident to the political opposition, underscoring the volatility surrounding the nation’s political debates during this period.
Following the shooting, Fico was transported to a hospital for emergency care. Members of his party, Smer, have called for the immediate suspension of a parliamentary session that had been planned for the same day in Bratislava, a move reported by local outlets and subsequently confirmed by parliamentary observers. The event has prompted a swift response from security and medical teams on the ground.
The prime minister, known for his staunch alignment with certain international positions, was speaking to supporters outside a cultural center after the session when the gunfire occurred. Officers and security personnel intervened as bystanders took cover, and the scene turned chaotic with the sound of multiple gunshots and urgent commotion.
In the aftermath, hospital staff worked to stabilize the prime minister and manage his injuries, while political leaders condemned the violence and called for calm. The incident has reverberated across the political spectrum, raising concerns about polarization and the potential impact on Slovakia’s governance and public safety protocols.
As investigators gather evidence, questions about the attacker’s affiliations and possible connections to broader movements continue to unfold. Authorities are reviewing security footage, examining social media posts, and interviewing witnesses to understand what motivated the attack and whether other plots may have been planned. In the meantime, security measures have been heightened at public events and government buildings as Slovakia processes this shocking development.
Analysts note that the incident comes at a time when political rhetoric has grown sharper and when public trust in institutions is under strain. Officials stress the importance of separating lawful political expression from targeted violence, urging citizens to remain peaceful even amid strong disagreements. International observers have also urged restraint, emphasizing that a stable, law-abiding response is essential for the country’s democratic health.
With the hospital providing ongoing updates on the prime minister’s condition, the political community in Slovakia holds its breath, waiting for more information about prognosis and potential implications for policy and leadership. The situation remains fluid, and authorities promise transparency as further details emerge and a comprehensive investigative report is prepared for public release.