Images supplied by Getty show Robert Fico, unable to stand, being dragged to his car by his team. According to Slovak press, Fico is still being operated on, hours after the attack.
Also pictured is the arrest of the suspected gunman, which mainstream Slovak media reports is a 71 year old man from Levice, a historic town 50 miles to the south of where the attack took place. Denník N reports the alleged attacker is a poet and “member of the leftist Rainbow Literary Club”.
Right-wing publication Konzervatívny denník Postoj (‘The Conservative Daily Post’) claims to be able to name the suspect as Slovakian author, poet, and activist Juraj Cintula. According to the publication he has published three collections of poetry and is a member of the Association of Slovak writers. He has publicly expressed himself against violence, and eight years ago said he was founding an organisation called Left Against Violence.
In the launch, he spoke about mass migration and criticised the “hatred and extremism”, saying: “Every normal person rejects violence… Our goal is to unite people, preserve peace and restore democracy. It is very difficult because no one trusts anyone anymore. The world is full of chaos and hatred.”