Rainer Schanz has already protected Gerhard Schröder and Angela Merkel. In the interview he explains how he assesses the assassination attempt on Robert Fico – and what he can do with a pistol in just one second.
Mr. Schanz, the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico was hit by multiple gunshots on Wednesday as he shook hands with supporters in the central Slovakian town of Hadlová. His condition is still serious. Did the bodyguards fail?
The so-called bath in the crowd is every bodyguard’s nightmare. It’s always easy in hindsight to blame them, but this is a difficult situation. In Germany, the bodyguards and the person protecting them walk in a formation, with the so-called “point man” in the front. But believe me, many politicians like to break out – and shake hands. Then the person protecting you is suddenly at the forefront and you have a problem.