Slovakia is 'on the edge of civil war' after PM Robert Fico's shooting, minister warns, as wife of 'lone wolf assassin, 71,' is taken away by police 'for her own protection'

The wife of the man who launched an assassination attempt on Slovakia's Prime Minister - leaving him in critical condition with several gunshot wounds - has been put under police protection

Slovakia is reeling after a shocking attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico, prompting Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok to warn of potential civil unrest in the aftermath.

Fico, 59, was critically injured when a lone assailant, identified as 71-year-old writer Juraj Cintula, shot him multiple times at close range while he greeted supporters outside government offices near Bratislava.

The alleged assassin 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, from Levice

The PM underwent life-saving surgery and is now reported to be in serious but stable condition, but the incident has sparked deep concerns amid Slovakia's political polarization. Cintula's arrest and subsequent charges for attempted murder have raised tensions further, leading to heightened security measures for his wife amid fears of retaliation from Fico's supporters.

Estok labeled the shooter as a lone wolf with a clear political motive, although specifics were not disclosed. Dr. Daniela Richterova of King's College London noted escalating aggression towards politicians and the media, citing Fico's party's shift towards divisive rhetoric and confrontational politics.

Security scrambled to tackle the shooter, 71-year-old Juraj Cintula from Levice, to the ground

Despite widespread condemnation of the attack, including from President Zuzana Caputova and President-elect Peter Pellegrini, concerns persist over Slovakia's political trajectory under Fico's government. Criticisms of his pro-Russian stance, anti-Western sentiments, and authoritarian tendencies have intensified amid ongoing protests and the upcoming European Parliament elections.

Slovak Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok speaks during a press conference at F.D. Roosevelt University Hospital, where Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is being treated

The international response, notably from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscores the gravity of the situation and the need to prevent further violence and political upheaval in Slovakia.