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First Post
08-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
72-year-old man who shot Slovak PM Fico last year goes on trial for terrorism
Juraj Cintula, 72, admits shooting the prime minister in May last year but denies wanting to kill him. Prosecutors describe the incident as a terrorist attack read more The man who shot and critically injured Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico last year screamed against him as he was taken into court in shackles on Tuesday, marking the beginning of a trial that could land him in prison for life. Juraj Cintula, 72, admits shooting the prime minister in May last year but denies wanting to kill him. Prosecutors describe the incident as a terrorist attack. When a reporter asked Cintula why he shot the prime minister as he was carried into the Specialised Criminal Court building in the little city of Banska Bystrica, he replied, 'Because he throttled culture.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Long live free culture!' he shouted as he was being led in shackles on hands and feet, dressed in a light blue-violet button shirt. 'Long live democracy!' Prosecutor Katarina Habcakova told the court that authorities had rejected an offer from Cintula's defence team to settle the case by accepting a 12-year prison sentence. 'Cintula acted to disable (Fico) permanently from performing his duty as prime minister and thus prevent the government from its proper functioning,' Habcakova said. In the court, Cintula's defence lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge, as not every attack on an official was terrorism and Cintula acted solely against Fico. The attacker fired five shots from a handgun from 1.2 metres (four feet) as the prime minister greeted citizens in the central Slovak town of Hand. Fico was hit four times, including in the abdomen. The shooting exacerbated political tension in Slovakia. Fico, 60, a populist in power for 11 years over three stints since 2006, has blamed the mostly liberal, pro-EU opposition for fostering a climate of anger that led to the shooting. His political opponents say they had nothing to do with it. Cintula, a pensioner and former mine worker, stonemason and security guard, has told investigators he shot at Fico to hurt but not kill him, due to what he said were disagreements with the prime minister's policies on Ukraine, media and culture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since returning to power in 2023 on a platform of opposing military aid to Ukraine and seeking better relations with Moscow, Fico has repeatedly clashed with Slovakia's partners in the European Union and NATO. He has also pushed through criminal law and media changes which opponents say undermine democracy. Echoing Prime Minister Victor Orban of neighbouring Hungary, he has pledged to build a 'dam against liberalism' through constitutional reforms. Fico's tilt towards Russia triggered large public protests earlier this year, which he said were aimed at triggering a coup, which organisers deny. Fico has said he has forgiven Cintula and does not intend to attend the trial unless called to testify. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further hearings possible later this year before a verdict is reached.
Euronews
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Suspect in shooting of Slovakia's Fico stands trial on terror charges
The man who shot and seriously injured Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico last year went on trial on Tuesday on a terrorism charge that could see him imprisoned for life. Juraj Cintula, 72, shouted "long live democracy, long live freedom" as he arrived at the Specialised Criminal Court in Slovakia's central city of Banská Bystrica. Cintula is accused of shooting Fico on 15 May 2024, as the prime minister greeted supporters following a government meeting in the town of Handlová, located 140 kilometres northeast of the capital. Fico was shot four times, including in the abdomen. He was taken to hospital, where he underwent a five-hour surgery, followed by another two-hour surgery two days later. In testimony read by a prosecutor at the trial, Cintula said he disagreed with the state's policies, including the cancellation of a special prosecution office dealing with corruption, the end of military support for Ukraine and the government's approach to culture. "I decided to harm the health of the prime minister but I had no intention to kill anyone," Cintula had said, according to the testimony shared by the prosecutor. The defendant refused to testify at the court on Tuesday but confirmed that what he told investigators about his motive was true. Cintula was initially 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. At the trial, Cintula's lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further dates possible later this year before a verdict is reached. Slovak officials initially said that they believed the shooting was a politically motivated attack committed by a "lone wolf". However, they 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 shooter and repeatedly blamed the liberal opposition and media for the assassination attempt. The prime minister has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. He returned to power for the fourth time after his leftist Smer party won the 2023 parliamentary election after campaigning on a pro-Russia and anti-Western platform. Fico's critics say that he has abandoned Slovakia's pro-Western course and is following the same Moscow-friendly direction as Hungary under its Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Thousands of people have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across Slovakia to protest Fico's pro-Russian stance and other policies.
The Advertiser
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Attacker slams Slovak PM as shooting trial begins
The man who shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has railed against Fico as he was led in shackles into court at the start of a trial that could see him jailed for life. Juraj Cintula, 72, acknowledges shooting the prime minister in May 2024 but denies intending to kill him. Prosecutors call it an act of terrorism. Asked by a reporter as he was being led into the Specialised Criminal Court building in the small city of Banska Bystrica why he had shot the prime minister, Cintula said: "Because he throttled culture." "Long live free culture!" he shouted on Tuesday as he was being led in shackles on hands and feet, dressed in a light blue-violet button shirt. "Long live democracy!" Prosecutor Katarina Habcakova told the court that authorities had rejected an offer from Cintula's defence team to settle the case by accepting a 12-year prison sentence. "Cintula acted to disable (Fico) permanently from performing his duty as prime minister and thus prevent the government from its proper functioning," Habcakova said. In the court, Cintula's defence lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge, as not every attack on an official was terrorism and Cintula acted solely against Fico. The attacker fired five shots from a handgun from 1.2 metres as the prime minister greeted citizens in the central Slovak town of Hand. Fico was hit four times, including in the abdomen. The shooting exacerbated political tension in Slovakia. Fico, 60, a populist in power for 11 years over three stints since 2006, has blamed the mostly liberal, pro-EU opposition for fostering a climate of anger that led to the shooting. His political opponents say they had nothing to do with it. Cintula, a pensioner and former mine worker, stonemason and security guard, has told investigators he shot at Fico to hurt but not kill him, due to what he said were disagreements with the prime minister's policies on Ukraine, media and culture. Since returning to power in 2023 on a platform of opposing military aid to Ukraine and seeking better relations with Moscow, Fico has repeatedly clashed with Slovakia's partners in the European Union and NATO. He has also pushed through criminal law and media changes which opponents say undermine democracy. Echoing Prime Minister Victor Orban of neighbouring Hungary, he has pledged to build a "dam against liberalism" through constitutional reforms. Fico's tilt towards Russia triggered large public protests earlier in 2025, which he said were aimed at triggering a coup, which organisers deny. Fico has said he has forgiven Cintula and does not intend to attend the trial unless called to testify. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further hearings possible later in 2025 before a verdict is reached. The man who shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has railed against Fico as he was led in shackles into court at the start of a trial that could see him jailed for life. Juraj Cintula, 72, acknowledges shooting the prime minister in May 2024 but denies intending to kill him. Prosecutors call it an act of terrorism. Asked by a reporter as he was being led into the Specialised Criminal Court building in the small city of Banska Bystrica why he had shot the prime minister, Cintula said: "Because he throttled culture." "Long live free culture!" he shouted on Tuesday as he was being led in shackles on hands and feet, dressed in a light blue-violet button shirt. "Long live democracy!" Prosecutor Katarina Habcakova told the court that authorities had rejected an offer from Cintula's defence team to settle the case by accepting a 12-year prison sentence. "Cintula acted to disable (Fico) permanently from performing his duty as prime minister and thus prevent the government from its proper functioning," Habcakova said. In the court, Cintula's defence lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge, as not every attack on an official was terrorism and Cintula acted solely against Fico. The attacker fired five shots from a handgun from 1.2 metres as the prime minister greeted citizens in the central Slovak town of Hand. Fico was hit four times, including in the abdomen. The shooting exacerbated political tension in Slovakia. Fico, 60, a populist in power for 11 years over three stints since 2006, has blamed the mostly liberal, pro-EU opposition for fostering a climate of anger that led to the shooting. His political opponents say they had nothing to do with it. Cintula, a pensioner and former mine worker, stonemason and security guard, has told investigators he shot at Fico to hurt but not kill him, due to what he said were disagreements with the prime minister's policies on Ukraine, media and culture. Since returning to power in 2023 on a platform of opposing military aid to Ukraine and seeking better relations with Moscow, Fico has repeatedly clashed with Slovakia's partners in the European Union and NATO. He has also pushed through criminal law and media changes which opponents say undermine democracy. Echoing Prime Minister Victor Orban of neighbouring Hungary, he has pledged to build a "dam against liberalism" through constitutional reforms. Fico's tilt towards Russia triggered large public protests earlier in 2025, which he said were aimed at triggering a coup, which organisers deny. Fico has said he has forgiven Cintula and does not intend to attend the trial unless called to testify. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further hearings possible later in 2025 before a verdict is reached. The man who shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has railed against Fico as he was led in shackles into court at the start of a trial that could see him jailed for life. Juraj Cintula, 72, acknowledges shooting the prime minister in May 2024 but denies intending to kill him. Prosecutors call it an act of terrorism. Asked by a reporter as he was being led into the Specialised Criminal Court building in the small city of Banska Bystrica why he had shot the prime minister, Cintula said: "Because he throttled culture." "Long live free culture!" he shouted on Tuesday as he was being led in shackles on hands and feet, dressed in a light blue-violet button shirt. "Long live democracy!" Prosecutor Katarina Habcakova told the court that authorities had rejected an offer from Cintula's defence team to settle the case by accepting a 12-year prison sentence. "Cintula acted to disable (Fico) permanently from performing his duty as prime minister and thus prevent the government from its proper functioning," Habcakova said. In the court, Cintula's defence lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge, as not every attack on an official was terrorism and Cintula acted solely against Fico. The attacker fired five shots from a handgun from 1.2 metres as the prime minister greeted citizens in the central Slovak town of Hand. Fico was hit four times, including in the abdomen. The shooting exacerbated political tension in Slovakia. Fico, 60, a populist in power for 11 years over three stints since 2006, has blamed the mostly liberal, pro-EU opposition for fostering a climate of anger that led to the shooting. His political opponents say they had nothing to do with it. Cintula, a pensioner and former mine worker, stonemason and security guard, has told investigators he shot at Fico to hurt but not kill him, due to what he said were disagreements with the prime minister's policies on Ukraine, media and culture. Since returning to power in 2023 on a platform of opposing military aid to Ukraine and seeking better relations with Moscow, Fico has repeatedly clashed with Slovakia's partners in the European Union and NATO. He has also pushed through criminal law and media changes which opponents say undermine democracy. Echoing Prime Minister Victor Orban of neighbouring Hungary, he has pledged to build a "dam against liberalism" through constitutional reforms. Fico's tilt towards Russia triggered large public protests earlier in 2025, which he said were aimed at triggering a coup, which organisers deny. Fico has said he has forgiven Cintula and does not intend to attend the trial unless called to testify. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further hearings possible later in 2025 before a verdict is reached. The man who shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has railed against Fico as he was led in shackles into court at the start of a trial that could see him jailed for life. Juraj Cintula, 72, acknowledges shooting the prime minister in May 2024 but denies intending to kill him. Prosecutors call it an act of terrorism. Asked by a reporter as he was being led into the Specialised Criminal Court building in the small city of Banska Bystrica why he had shot the prime minister, Cintula said: "Because he throttled culture." "Long live free culture!" he shouted on Tuesday as he was being led in shackles on hands and feet, dressed in a light blue-violet button shirt. "Long live democracy!" Prosecutor Katarina Habcakova told the court that authorities had rejected an offer from Cintula's defence team to settle the case by accepting a 12-year prison sentence. "Cintula acted to disable (Fico) permanently from performing his duty as prime minister and thus prevent the government from its proper functioning," Habcakova said. In the court, Cintula's defence lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge, as not every attack on an official was terrorism and Cintula acted solely against Fico. The attacker fired five shots from a handgun from 1.2 metres as the prime minister greeted citizens in the central Slovak town of Hand. Fico was hit four times, including in the abdomen. The shooting exacerbated political tension in Slovakia. Fico, 60, a populist in power for 11 years over three stints since 2006, has blamed the mostly liberal, pro-EU opposition for fostering a climate of anger that led to the shooting. His political opponents say they had nothing to do with it. Cintula, a pensioner and former mine worker, stonemason and security guard, has told investigators he shot at Fico to hurt but not kill him, due to what he said were disagreements with the prime minister's policies on Ukraine, media and culture. Since returning to power in 2023 on a platform of opposing military aid to Ukraine and seeking better relations with Moscow, Fico has repeatedly clashed with Slovakia's partners in the European Union and NATO. He has also pushed through criminal law and media changes which opponents say undermine democracy. Echoing Prime Minister Victor Orban of neighbouring Hungary, he has pledged to build a "dam against liberalism" through constitutional reforms. Fico's tilt towards Russia triggered large public protests earlier in 2025, which he said were aimed at triggering a coup, which organisers deny. Fico has said he has forgiven Cintula and does not intend to attend the trial unless called to testify. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further hearings possible later in 2025 before a verdict is reached.
Hindustan Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Trial set to open in Slovakia of man who shot and wounded PM Fico
By Jan Lopatka Trial set to open in Slovakia of man who shot and wounded PM Fico BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia, - A Slovak court will begin the trial on Tuesday of a man who shot and seriously wounded Prime Minister Robert Fico in May last year, an attack that both exposed and exacerbated political and social divisions in the small central European country. The 72-year-old Juraj C. stands accused of terrorism for an attack that prosecutors say was aimed at incapacitating the government. He faces up to life imprisonment if found guilty by the Specialised Criminal Court. The attacker, a former mine worker, stonemason, security guard, but also the author of poetry and prose and a public activist, has told investigators he shot at Fico to hurt but not kill him, due to what he said were disagreements with the prime minister's policies on Ukraine, media and culture. Fico, a 60-year-old fourth-time prime minister, has clashed with Slovakia's partners in the European Union and NATO over his opposition to providing military aid to Ukraine and his efforts to maintain working relations with Russia. He has also pushed through criminal law and media reforms which critics say undermine democracy, and - echoing Prime Minister Victor Orban of neighbouring Hungary - has pledged to build a "dam against liberalism" through constitutional reforms. Fico has accused the attacker of being an opposition activist and has accused the opposition - an array of mostly liberal-pro EU parties - of stoking hatred. The main opposition parties denied any connection to the shooter. Fico's tilt towards Russia triggered large public protests earlier this year, which he said were aimed at triggering a coup against the government, an assertion denied by protest organisers. Fico has said he has forgiven the attacker and does not intend to attend the trial unless called to testify. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday but further hearings are possible later this year before a verdict is reached. The first day is expected to include a reading of the charges and questioning of the suspect. The suspect fired five shots from a handgun from 1.2 metres as the prime minister greeted citizens in the central Slovak town of Hand. Fico was hit four times, including in the abdomen, and underwent urgent surgery and treatment at the Banska Bystrica hospital. His full diagnosis has not been revealed. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Attacker rails against Slovak prime minister as shooting trial begins
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico attends a press conference, as he marks the anniversary of his attempted assassination, at the site of the attack, in Handlova, central Slovakia May 15, 2025. REUTERS/Radovan Stoklasa/File Photo BANSKA BYSTRICA, Slovakia - The man who shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico last year railed against Fico as he was led in shackles into court on Tuesday, at the start of a trial that could see him jailed for life. Juraj Cintula, 72, acknowledges shooting the prime minister in May last year but denies intending to kill him. Prosecutors call it an act of terrorism. Asked by a reporter as he was being led into the Specialised Criminal Court building in the small city of Banska Bystrica why he had shot the prime minister, Cintula said: "Because he throttled culture." "Long live free culture!" he shouted as he was being led in shackles on hands and feet, dressed in a light blue-violet button shirt. "Long live democracy!" Prosecutor Katarina Habcakova told the court that authorities had rejected an offer from Cintula's defence team to settle the case by accepting a 12-year prison sentence. "Cintula acted to disable (Fico) permanently from performing his duty as prime minister and thus prevent the government from its proper functioning," Habcakova said. In the court, Cintula's defence lawyer said the defence rejected the terrorism charge, as not every attack on an official was terrorism and Cintula acted solely against Fico. The attacker fired five shots from a handgun from 1.2 metres (four feet) as the prime minister greeted citizens in the central Slovak town of Hand. Fico was hit four times, including in the abdomen. The shooting exacerbated political tension in Slovakia. Fico, 60, a populist in power for 11 years over three stints since 2006, has blamed the mostly liberal, pro-EU opposition for fostering a climate of anger that led to the shooting. His political opponents say they had nothing to do with it. Cintula, a pensioner and former mine worker, stonemason and security guard, has told investigators he shot at Fico to hurt but not kill him, due to what he said were disagreements with the prime minister's policies on Ukraine, media and culture. Since returning to power in 2023 on a platform of opposing military aid to Ukraine and seeking better relations with Moscow, Fico has repeatedly clashed with Slovakia's partners in the European Union and NATO. He has also pushed through criminal law and media changes which opponents say undermine democracy. Echoing Prime Minister Victor Orban of neighbouring Hungary, he has pledged to build a "dam against liberalism" through constitutional reforms. Fico's tilt towards Russia triggered large public protests earlier this year, which he said were aimed at triggering a coup, which organisers deny. Fico has said he has forgiven Cintula and does not intend to attend the trial unless called to testify. The court has set hearings for Tuesday and Wednesday, with further hearings possible later this year before a verdict is reached. REUTERS
