World leaders condemned the attack on Fico, who was shot several times and is in a “life-threatening condition.”
World leaders have condemned the attack on Slovak Prime Minister Roberto Fico, who is in “life threatening” after being shot.
The Prime Minister was shot “multiple times” in an “assassination attempt” on Wednesday, it was announced on his official social media page.
The 59-year-old leader was shot in the abdomen in downtown Handlova. Police cordoned off the scene and one suspect was taken into custody, local media reported.
Below are some of the global reactions.
US President Joe Biden
Biden condemned the shooting as a “horrific act of violence,” adding that he and first lady Jill Biden “wish him a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with his family and the people of Slovakia.” .
Russian President Vladimir Putin
President Putin said the attack was a “colossal crime.”
“This heinous crime cannot be justified. I know Robert Fico to be a brave and strong-willed man. I know these qualities will help him get through this difficult situation. I strongly hope so,” President Putin said.
The Russian leader wished Fico a “speedy and full recovery.”
Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
Guterres’ office said in a statement that Guterres condemned “the shocking attack carried out today against the Prime Minister of Slovakia.”
“Our thoughts are with the prime minister and his loved ones at this difficult time,” Guterres’s spokesman said.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
“I strongly condemn the despicable attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. Such acts of violence have no place in our society and undermine our most precious common good: democracy. Our thoughts are with Prime Minister Fico and his family,” von der Leyen said.
French President Emmanuel Macron
President Macron said on social media that he was “shocked” by the attack.
“I am shocked by the shooting of Slovakia’s Prime Minister Roberto Fico. I strongly condemn this attack,” he said. “My thoughts and solidarity are with him, his family and the Slovak people.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
Scholz condemned the “despicable” attack and condemned “violence” in European politics.
“I am deeply shocked by the news of the despicable attack on Slovak Prime Minister Fico,” Scholz said.
NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg
Stoltenberg said his thoughts were with Fico and the Slovak people.
“I wish him all the best for a speedy recovery. My thoughts are with Robert Fico, his loved ones and the people of Slovakia,” he said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
Meloni condemned attacks on “democracy and freedom” and “violence in all its forms.”
Meloni said in a statement: “I was deeply shocked to learn of the despicable attack.” She also stressed that the government “condemns in the strongest terms all forms of violence and attacks on the fundamental principles of democracy and freedom.”
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran
The ministry said in a statement that it “condemns the assassination attempt on the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic” and “hopefully”. [him] I wish you good health and a speedy recovery. ”
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán
Prime Minister Orban condemned the “heinous” attack on Fico.
“I am deeply shocked by the vicious attack on my friend, Prime Minister Robert Fico. I wish him good health and a speedy recovery! God bless him and his country!” Orbán said. Ta.
President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic
Vucic said Fico was a “great friend” and wished him well.
“I am shocked by the assassination attempt on Robert Fico, a great friend for me and for Serbia. Dear friend, I wish you and your health,” Vučić said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
Sanchez said he was “horrified” by the attack and said “nothing can justify violence.”
“Horrified and outraged by the attack on the Slovak Prime Minister. Spain supports Roberto Fico, his family and the Slovak people at this extremely difficult time. Nothing can justify violence.” he wrote on social media.
Austrian Prime Minister Karl Nehammer
Nehammer said he was shocked by the attack and warned that “hate and violence must not take root in our democracy.”
“The attempt on the life of my Slovak colleague Robert Fico has deeply shocked me. Just a few days ago we had an intensive discussion on security issues over the phone. I wish him a speedy and full recovery. We pray for you! Hatred and violence must not take root in our democracy and must be fought with all our might,” Nehammer said on social media.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky
President Zelenskiy condemned the attack and warned that violence must not become the norm.
“We strongly condemn this act of violence against the head of government of a neighboring country. Every effort should be made to ensure that violence does not become the norm in any country, form or territory,” he said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
President Erdogan “strongly” condemned the “heinous assassination attempt”.
President Erdoğan said, “On behalf of my country and people, I pray for the repose of the souls of the Slovak people and government,” and prayed for a speedy recovery.
