A Slovak court has sentenced 72-year-old Juraj Cintula to 21 years in prison for committing a terrorist attack. The Specialized Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica ruled that Cintula deliberately targeted Prime Minister Robert Fico (SMER-SD) as a political figure, not a private citizen. The verdict is not yet final, as the defendant may appeal.
Prosecutors had sought a life sentence but the court considered Cintula’s age and health as mitigating factors. The retired man shot Fico five times during a public government meeting in Handlová in May 2024. The prime minister was seriously injured but survived. The attack shocked Slovakia and was condemned internationally.
Source: TASR
Veronika Ščepánová, Photo: TASR
