The trial of Juraj Cintula, the man accused of attempting to assassinate Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, began on Tuesday, July 8, at the Specialised Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica. The defendant, a retired security guard, is currently being held in custody. He faces charges of committing an aggravated terrorist attack against a public official, a crime that carries a possible life sentence.
The shooting occurred on May 15, 2024, in Handlová after a government meeting, when Fico was greeting members of the public. The prime minister was critically wounded by multiple gunshots and underwent emergency surgery. The attacker was arrested at the scene. Originally charged with attempted premeditated murder, the case was later reclassified as terrorism, citing political motivation.
As Juraj Cintula arrived at court, he shouted, “Long live democracy, long live free culture,” and said he acted because Fico was “strangling culture.” Asked whether he pleaded guilty, he replied, “I am not a terrorist.” Fico did not attend the hearing and is represented by his lawyer, David Lindtner.
Source: STVR, TASR, Denník N
