“operated again”, the head of government “in a still critical condition”, announces the government

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, seriously injured by gunfire on Wednesday, was “operated again” and is still in serious condition, Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said on Friday, May 17. “He underwent an operation lasting almost two hours”he said during a press briefing at Banska Bystrica hospital. “His condition is still very serious. It will probably take a few days to see how it progresses.”

Two days after the attack which occurred while he was greeting his supporters in central Slovakia, the 59-year-old leader remains hospitalized in intensive care. “He can speak but only to say a few sentences”declared President-elect Peter Pellegrini on Thursday, after meeting “a few minutes” with him. “He’s very, very tired.” He also announced that a medical council would meet on Monday to decide on future treatment. They “will decide whether he continues to be treated in Banska Bystrica or whether it is possible to transport him closer to his place of residence” in Bratislava, added Peter Pellegrini.

The investigation continues at the same time.Slovak police on Friday searched the home of the man accused of seriously injuring Prime Minister Robert Fico, who remains hospitalized in serious condition, local media reported. Investigators took the suspected shooter, who was wearing a bulletproof vest and helmet, to the apartment he shared with his wife in the town of Levice, according to footage from Markiza TV channel.

“The police stayed in the apartment for several hours (…), they took away the computer and documents from the apartment”, declared the private channel. Questioned by AFP, the police refused to comment on the ongoing investigation. She also does not want to give the name of the suspect, but media reports have identified him as 71-year-old retiree Juraj Cintula. He was charged Thursday with attempted murder for the attack, which she described as “politically motivated”.