Slovak police escorted the suspect accused of shooting Prime Minister Robert Fico to his home in search of new evidence, AP News reported.
Fico, 59, was shot several times on Wednesday. At the time, he greeted supporters in the former coal-mining town of Handlova. Officials initially reported that doctors were fighting for his life but described his situation as serious yet stable after a five-hour operation.
His return to power last year raised fears among other European Union and NATO members that he would backtrack on his country’s previous policies, especially on Ukraine.
Slovak media showed footage of the suspect being taken to his home in the town of Levice on Friday morning. Police reportedly confiscated a computer and some documents. Officers did not comment on the situation due to the prosecutor’s office’s ban on revealing the suspect’s identity and other details of the case.
According to unconfirmed media reports, the suspect was a 71-year-old man known as an amateur poet. He may have previously worked as a security guard at a shopping centre in the south-west of the country.
Slovakia’s presidential administration stated on Friday that it was working to organise a meeting of leaders of all parliamentary parties on Tuesday. Outgoing President Zuzana Čaputová announced the plan along with elected President Peter Pellegrini to ease social tensions.
Ukraine’s former ally
At the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, Slovakia was one of the country’s staunchest supporters. However, Fico stopped supplying arms to Kyiv when he became prime minister for the fourth time.
The Fico government also launched an effort to reform public broadcasting. Critics argue that the move will give the government complete control over public television and radio. Fico’s opponents became concerned when the government announced plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a special anti-graft prosecutor.
Thousands of demonstrators have rallied repeatedly to protest his policies. Fico prophetically stated last month that rising tensions in the country could lead to assassinations of politicians. He also accused the media of fuelling tensions.
Before Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates faced police investigations. Dozens of politicians were charged. His plan to reform the penal system includes eliminating the position of special prosecutor dealing with organised crime, corruption, and extremism.
