Latest news with #BanskáBystrica
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's populist leader Fico stands trial on terror charges
BRATISLAVA: A man went on trial Tuesday over last year's attempted assassination of Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. Juraj Cintula, appearing in court in the central city of Banská Bystrica, has been indicted on terror charges. 'Long live democracy, long live free culture,' Cintula shouted as he arrived at the Specialized Criminal Court. The 72-year-old is accused of opening fire on Fico on May 15, 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlová, located 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital. Cintula was immediately arrested and was ordered by a court to remain behind bars. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Fico was shot in the abdomen and was transported to a hospital in nearby Banská Bystrica. He underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later. He has since recovered. Cintula originally was charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors later dropped that charge and said they were instead pursuing the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack, based on evidence the investigators obtained, but they gave no further details. Government officials initially said that they believed it was a politically motivated attack committed by a 'lone wolf,' but announced later that a third party might have been involved in 'acting for the benefit of the perpetrator.' Fico previously said he 'had no reason to believe' that it was an attack by a lone deranged person and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt. Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer, or Direction, party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American message. His critics have charged that Slovakia under Fico has abandoned its pro-Western course and is following the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russian stance and other policies.
Al Arabiya
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Suspect In Shooting Of Slovakia's Populist Leader Fico Stands Trial On Terror Charges
A man went on trial Tuesday over last year's attempted assassination of Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. Juraj Cintula, appearing in court in the central city of Banská Bystrica, has been indicted on terror charges. 'Long live democracy! Long live free culture!' Cintula shouted as he arrived at the Specialized Criminal Court. The 72-year-old is accused of opening fire on Fico on May 15, 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlová, located 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital. Cintula was immediately arrested and was ordered by a court to remain behind bars. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Fico was shot in the abdomen and was transported to a hospital in nearby Banská Bystrica. He underwent a five-hour surgery followed by another two-hour surgery two days later. He has since recovered. Cintula originally was charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors later dropped that charge and said they were instead pursuing the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack based on evidence the investigators obtained, but they gave no further details. Government officials initially said that they believed it was a politically motivated attack committed by a lone wolf, but announced later that a third party might have been involved in acting for the benefit of the perpetrator. Fico previously said he had no reason to believe that it was an attack by a lone, deranged person and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt. Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer, or Direction, party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American message. His critics have charged that Slovakia under Fico has abandoned its pro-Western course and is following the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russia stance and other policies.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's PM appears in court on terror charges
A man accused of the attempted assassination of Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico went on trial on Tuesday. Juraj Cintula appeared in a Banská Bystrica court, indicted on terror charges. 'Long live democracy, long live free culture,' Cintula shouted as he arrived at the Specialized Criminal Court. The 72-year-old is accused of opening fire on Fico on May 15, 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlová, located 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital. Cintula was immediately arrested and was ordered by a court to remain behind bars. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Fico was shot in the abdomen and was transported to a hospital in nearby Banská Bystrica. He underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later. He has since recovered. Cintula originally was charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors later dropped that charge and said they were instead pursuing the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack, based on evidence the investigators obtained, but they gave no further details. Government officials initially said that they believed it was a politically motivated attack committed by a 'lone wolf,' but announced later that a third party might have been involved in 'acting for the benefit of the perpetrator.' Fico previously said he 'had no reason to believe' that it was an attack by a lone deranged person and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt. Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer, or Direction, party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American message. His critics have charged that Slovakia under Fico has abandoned its pro-Western course and is following the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russian stance and other policies.
The Independent
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's populist leader Fico stands trial on terror charges
A man went on trial Tuesday over last year's attempted assassination of Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. Juraj Cintula, appearing in court in the central city of Banská Bystrica, has been indicted on terror charges. 'Long live democracy, long live free culture,' Cintula shouted as he arrived at the Specialized Criminal Court. The 72-year-old is accused of opening fire on Fico on May 15, 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlová, located 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital. Cintula was immediately arrested and was ordered by a court to remain behind bars. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Fico was shot in the abdomen and was transported to a hospital in nearby Banská Bystrica. He underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later. He has since recovered. Cintula originally was charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors later dropped that charge and said they were instead pursuing the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack, based on evidence the investigators obtained, but they gave no further details. Government officials initially said that they believed it was a politically motivated attack committed by a 'lone wolf,' but announced later that a third party might have been involved in 'acting for the benefit of the perpetrator.' Fico previously said he 'had no reason to believe' that it was an attack by a lone deranged person and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt. Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer, or Direction, party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American message. His critics have charged that Slovakia under Fico has abandoned its pro-Western course and is following the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russian stance and other policies.
Associated Press
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's populist leader Fico stands trial on terror charges
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) — A man went on trial Tuesday over last year's attempted assassination of Slovakia's populist Prime Minister Robert Fico. Juraj Cintula, appearing in court in the central city of Banská Bystrica, has been indicted on terror charges. 'Long live democracy, long live free culture,' Cintula shouted as he arrived at the Specialized Criminal Court. The 72-year-old is accused of opening fire on Fico on May 15, 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlová, located 140 kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital. Cintula was immediately arrested and was ordered by a court to remain behind bars. If convicted, he faces life imprisonment. Fico was shot in the abdomen and was transported to a hospital in nearby Banská Bystrica. He underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later. He has since recovered. Cintula originally was charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors later dropped that charge and said they were instead pursuing the more serious charge of engaging in a terror attack, based on evidence the investigators obtained, but they gave no further details. Government officials initially said that they believed it was a politically motivated attack committed by a 'lone wolf,' but announced later that a third party might have been involved in 'acting for the benefit of the perpetrator.' Fico previously said he 'had no reason to believe' that it was an attack by a lone deranged person and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt. Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer, or Direction, party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-American message. His critics have charged that Slovakia under Fico has abandoned its pro-Western course and is following the direction of Hungary under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Thousands have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russian stance and other policies.
