Juraj Cintula, a 72-year-old man, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison after being convicted of terrorism for shooting Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024. The incident occurred in Handlová, approximately 180 kilometers from Bratislava, where Cintula fired five shots at Fico at close range as the prime minister was extending his hand, believing he was approaching a supporter.
In court proceedings, Cintula denied any intent to kill the prime minister, asserting that he aimed away from vital areas of Fico’s body. Security footage captured the moment of the attack, showing Cintula firing before being subdued by Fico’s bodyguards. Following the shooting, Fico sustained serious abdominal injuries and was airlifted to a nearby hospital for urgent surgery, with his condition initially deemed life-threatening.
Cintula, identifying himself as an amateur poet, claimed that his motive was to injure the prime minister to prevent policies he deemed harmful to Slovakia. Although Prime Minister Fico has accused opposition parties of fostering animosity that led to the incident, he is also recognized for employing divisive rhetoric.
During the trial, Judge Igor Kralik emphasized that the attack was specifically directed at the prime minister rather than an ordinary citizen, rejecting a defense request to classify the charge as assault on a public official, which would carry a lesser penalty. Cintula’s attorney has indicated plans to appeal the verdict.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c051mj72ddjo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss