Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who survived an assassination attempt on May 15, has been released from the hospital to continue his recovery at home. The F.D. Roosevelta Banská Bystrica Hospital confirmed on Thursday that Fico’s health had shown positive progress after undergoing further examinations and beginning rehabilitation.
The hospital director expressed gratitude for Fico’s cooperation as a patient, the healthcare team’s outstanding work, the armed forces’ professionalism, and the public’s support, stating, “I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank him for being a disciplined patient, our excellent health care team for their outstanding work, all armed forces for their professional approach, and all the people for the strong positive energy they have sent our way.”
Fico, 59, was shot four times at close range in Handlova, central Slovakia, sustaining life-threatening injuries to his abdomen, hip, arm, and leg. His small intestine was perforated five times, and government colleague Erik Kaliňák revealed that Fico’s survival was a matter of millimeters.
The assailant, identified as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, was apprehended at the scene and charged with attempted premeditated murder. Cintula, a left-wing poet and activist, reportedly confessed to the crime, claiming he wanted to remove Fico from office due to disagreements with the Prime Minister’s policies, particularly the government’s decision to keep Slovakia from becoming involved in the Ukraine war.
As Fico continues his recovery at his apartment in Bratislava, local media reports indicate heightened security measures in the area. The investigation into the assassination attempt is ongoing.
