crime
Death threats against Slovak politicians after Fico assassination attempt
“Violence is no way” reads a sign: When a gunman shot Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico this week, a shock went through the Central European country. photo
© Denes Erdos/AP/dpa
The left-wing populist head of government Fico was critically injured with several shots on Wednesday. His colleagues are now also receiving threats.
Since the assassination attempt on the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is increasingly receiving threats against other politicians in Slovakia. Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told the daily newspaper “Pravda”.
The minister, who belongs to the second largest governing party “Voice – Social Democracy” (Hlas-SD), said that he himself had also received death threats. A member of parliament from the largest government party “Towards – Slovak Social Democracy” (Smer-SSD), led by Fico, was also threatened. In both cases, a perpetrator was identified.
Death threats against the liberal opposition leader Michal Simecka and his family had previously become known. Aside from specific death threats, the number of aggressive statements on social media has also increased sharply, Slovak media reported, citing experts.
The 59-year-old left-wing populist government leader Fico was critically injured with several shots by a 71-year-old man on Wednesday. He was still in the intensive care unit of a hospital at the weekend. A panel of doctors will decide on Monday whether the patient should be transferred to the capital Bratislava. On Saturday, a court should decide whether the perpetrator should be remanded in custody.