Newsletter Newsletters Events Events Podcasts Videos Africanews
Loader
Advertisement

Suspect in Robert Fico assassination attempt may face terror charges, Slovak police say

FILE - Chairman of SMER-Social Democracy party Robert Fico arrives at his party's headquarters in Bratislava, Slovakia, 1 October, 2023.
FILE - Chairman of SMER-Social Democracy party Robert Fico arrives at his party's headquarters in Bratislava, Slovakia, 1 October, 2023. Copyright  AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File
Copyright AP Photo/Petr David Josek, File
By Oman Al Yahyai with AP
Published on
Share this article Comments
Share this article Close Button

Prosecutors will now assess the evidence and decide whether the suspect, identified only as J.C., will stand trial.

ADVERTISEMENT

Slovak police have concluded their investigation into last year’s attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico and recommended that the suspect face charges of a "terror attack".

Prosecutor-General Maroš Žilinka stated that prosecutors would now review the evidence to determine whether the accused, identified only as J.C., will stand trial. 

However, a timeline for the legal proceedings remains unclear.

J.C. was immediately taken into custody following the attack on 15 May last year, and has remained in detention ever since under a court order.

Initially charged with attempted murder, he now faces upgraded charges. Žilinka cited new evidence obtained by investigators, but did not disclose further details.

Government officials previously suggested the attack may have been politically motivated and committed by a perpetrator acting alone, but also hinted at the potential involvement of a third party.

Fico suffered multiple gunshot wounds after being shot in the abdomen while greeting supporters in the town of Handlová. He has since recovered.

A highly polarising figure in Slovakia's politics, Fico’s pro-Russian policies and crackdown on independent media have triggered mass protests across the country since his return to power in October 2023.

Go to accessibility shortcuts
Share this article Comments

Read more

Thousands in Slovakia protest against what they say is PM Fico's pro-Russia stance

Shooting leaves Slovakia's PM Robert Fico with permanent health issues

Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's Prime Minister Fico stands trial on terror charges