Slovak prime minister in stable but serious condition after shooting

Prime Minister Robert Fico, 59, was shot multiple times during the assassination attempt Wednesday, according to a post on his official Facebook page. After hours of surgery he was in stable but serious condition, officials said at a morning press conference. He had been in critical condition as of Wednesday evening, Defense Minister of Slovakia Robert Kalinak said at an evening press conference. The attempt on Fico’s life appeared to be politically motivated, he said.

The prime minister was shot in the stomach outside a cultural center in the town of Handlova, just over 90 miles northeast of the capital, where he was meeting with supporters. Video posted to social media appeared to record five shots going off before a crowd scatters. A subsequent video appeared to show Fico being dragged and carried to an awaiting vehicle.

Has anyone been arrested? A suspect was was taken into custody at the scene of the shooting.

Dig deeper: From the WORLD archives, read Kaitlyn Speer’s report about Fico’s support of traditional marriage.