On Wednesday, some 40 people gathered in the Slovak capital Bratislava to light candles and pay their respects to the victims in front of the French Embassy in the capital city. More candles and flowers were brought here throughout the evening and the next day. The Institute for Human Rights also organised a non-official gathering in front of the Embassy. Among other issues religious fundamentalism in Slovakia was also discussed at the gathering. Some Slovak caricaturists have joined their counterparts in the world by drawing caricatures in support of Charlie Hebdo.
Slovak President Andrej Kiska has sent a telegram of condolence to his French counterpart Francois Hollande on Wednesday over this deadly attack. "I'm shocked by the cold-bloodedness of this act, which has caused so many lives to be lost. In the name of the Slovak people and in my own name, I express my sincere sympathy to the bereaved". Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico also condemned the lethal attack on the offices of the newspaper Charlie Hebdo, calling it a barbaric act. "My thoughts belong to the French people in these moments. I want to express the belief that the perpetrators will be arrested and punished. This event also shows the shakiness of the world we're living in. This makes it even more urgent for countries with stable democratic governments to be able to deal adequately and efficiently with such threats", stated Fico in a written statement. Many ask whether Slovakia is in danger. Interior Minister Robert Kaliňák:
"We can never fully exclude attacks in Slovakia as, due to the opened borders and known cases of so-called lone wolves, such a situation could happen."
