Slovak Prime Minister Shooting: Court Ruling Highlights Deep Divisions

A Slovak court sentenced 72-year-old Juraj Cintula to 21 years in prison for the attempted assassination of Prime Minister Robert Fico, declaring the act as terrorism. The attack on Fico, driven by political discontent, has exposed significant rifts within Slovak society and debates over democracy and governance.

A Slovak court has sentenced 72-year-old Juraj Cintula to a 21-year prison term for shooting Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024, concluding that the attack constituted an act of terrorism. The trial, held in Banska Bystrica, centered on whether Cintula's actions were terrorism or lesser offenses.

During the attack in Handlova, Fico sustained serious injuries to his abdomen, hip, hand, and foot, but he returned to public life a few months later. Cintula claims he intended to harm, not kill, Fico to halt policies he believed harmful to Slovak culture.

The incident underscored Slovakia's societal tensions, as Fico accuses opposition parties of inciting the anger leading to the attack. Cintula's defense argued for a lesser charge, highlighting the complex debate over what constitutes terrorism.

(With inputs from agencies.)