Shooter who targeted Slovak PM Fico goes on trial, cites political motives
Juraj Cintula (Getty Images)
Trial has begun in Slovakia for writer Juraj Cintula, who attempted to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in May of last year, according to Dennik N.
Cintula was brought to the courthouse about half an hour before the hearing began. As he entered, he shouted, "Long live democracy, long live free culture."
When asked by journalists about his motives, the defendant said he opposed Fico's policies, which he claimed were "suppressing culture." He did not plead guilty to terrorism, stating that he only takes responsibility for the shooting.
During the hearing, the suspect refused to testify. However, the prosecutor read his earlier statements, in which Cintula said: "Since I disagree with the government's policies, the abolition of the Slovak National Council, the persecution of cultural figures, and I support sending military aid to Ukraine, I decided to harm the prime minister's health, but I did not intend to kill anyone."
Photo: Arrest of Cintula in May of last year (Getty Images)
For his part, the defendant later stated that he "has nothing against the current government" and that "some members of parliament are even sympathetic to him."
According to the prosecutor, Cintula had previously said he did not intend to kill Fico but "wanted to wound him so that he would never be able to stand on his feet again."
Assassination attempt on Fico
In early May 2024, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was seriously wounded in an assassination attempt. The incident occurred on May 15 in the town of Handlová, as Fico was concluding a speech following a meeting with voters.
The assailant shot the prime minister in the abdomen and arm, after which he was rushed to a hospital in Banská Bystrica, where he underwent two major surgeries.
Police arrested 71-year-old Juraj Cintula at the scene. Investigators classified the attack as politically motivated or potentially an act of terrorism.
