Prime Minister Robert Fico Shot Multiple Times Amidst Political Controversy

Robert Fico, the 59-year-old Prime Minister of Slovakia, was shot multiple times in the town of Handlova on Wednesday while greeting supporters. While Fico is expected to survive, the suspect's Facebook video suggests a possible political motive.

Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia survived an assassination attempt on Wednesday after being shot multiple times at a cultural center in the town of Handlova. The 59-year-old Fico was rushed to the hospital in critical condition, but is expected to recover.

A suspect was swiftly arrested following the attack, and an initial investigation has revealed "a clear political motivation," according to Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok. The suspect, a 71-year-old man, appeared in an undated Facebook video prior to the shooting, expressing his dissatisfaction with government policies.

In the video, the suspect, whose image matches that of the man taken into custody, is heard saying, "I do not agree with government policy." He also questions the removal of the chairman of a state judicial council and criticizes the "liquidated mass media" in Slovakia.

The suspect's motives are still under investigation, but his Facebook video suggests a possible political motive. Slovakia's government has recently approved a controversial overhaul of the country's public radio and television services, a move that critics say would result in the government taking full control of the media.

Fico has defended the changes, arguing that RTVS, the public broadcaster, is politically biased and "is in conflict with the Slovak government." However, thousands of Slovaks have rallied against the plan, and it has been widely criticized by local journalists, the opposition, international media organizations, and the European Commission.

The suspect, who is reportedly a former shopping mall security guard and a member of the Slovak Society of Writers, has been charged with attempted murder. If convicted, he could face 25 years to life in prison.

President Biden and other international leaders have condemned the shooting, with Slovakia President-elect Peter Pellegrini calling it an "assassination attempt." The Associated Press contributed to this report.