A person who shot and significantly injured Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico in an assault final yr has been sentenced to 21 years in jail after being discovered responsible of terrorism.
Juraj Cintula, a 72-year-old pensioner, fired 5 photographs on the prime minister in Might 2024 when he was on a go to to the city of Handlova, about 180km (112 miles) north-east of the capital, Bratislava.
The gunman shot Fico at extraordinarily shut vary, simply as he was reaching out to shake his hand – considering he was a supporter.
In courtroom, Cintula denied making an attempt to kill the prime minister, saying he had intentionally aimed away from his important organs.
Footage from the scene of the taking pictures confirmed a person elevating a gun and firing on the prime minister earlier than being subdued by bodyguards. Different members of Fico’s safety staff rushed him into his automobile.
The prime minister was significantly injured in his stomach and was airlifted by helicopter to a close-by hospital for surgical procedure, along with his situation described as life-threatening. He later recovered and returned to public appearances.
On Tuesday, Cintula was sentenced on terror costs, with Decide Igor Kralik stating: “The courtroom considers confirmed that the defendant didn’t assault a citizen however particularly the prime minister.”
The gunman’s lawyer had tried to cut back the cost to attacking a public official, which has a decrease penalty, however this was rejected by the decide.
Cintula’s lawyer mentioned he would probably enchantment the decision.
The attacker, an novice poet, claimed he solely wished to injure Fico with a purpose to cease insurance policies he believed have been harming Slovakia.
Following the taking pictures, Cintula mentioned he objected to Fico’s nationalist authorities, together with its determination to droop navy help to Ukraine as Slovakia’s neighbour fends off a Russian invasion.
The 61-year-old prime minister has tried responsible the opposition for the assault and for whipping up hatred, although he’s recognized for deeply divisive rhetoric himself.
Fico, seen by many European leaders as an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in January accused the opposition of planning a coup in Slovakia – a declare rejected by his opponents.
In latest months, tens of 1000’s of Slovaks have protested in opposition to what they describe as the federal government’s curbing of the rule of regulation and media freedom – allegations Fico’s authorities denies.
On the finish of September, Fico’s ruling coalition spearheaded changes to Slovakia’s constitution so it recognises solely two sexes, restricts adoption to married heterosexual {couples} and prohibits surrogate pregnancies.
