The writer who shot Fico acted for political reasons and opposed Russia
He was also associated with the Slovenskí branci paramilitary group and the Night Wolves biker club

Slovak writer Juraj Cintula, who attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico, acted for political reasons. This was stated by the head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Matusz Šutaj-Estok, the Standard newspaper reports.
According to the minister, Cintula criticised Fico's policies, strongly opposed Russia and sympathised with the Slovak opposition.
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In a video taken after his arrest and posted on social media, Cintula says that he "disagrees with the government's policy" and that "the media is being eliminated".
The journalists found that Cintula was associated with the paramilitary group Slovenskí branci (Slovak Recruits), which existed in 2012-2022.
The organisation reportedly cooperated with the Slovak branch of the Night Wolves biker club, known for its ties to the Russian authorities, and the leaders of Slovenskí branci were trained by former Russian special forces soldiers.
In 2016, the group's Facebook page published several texts authored by Cintula.
The assassination attempt on Fico was carried out on 15 May in Handlova in front of the House of Culture, where a meeting of the Slovak government was taking place.
As the prime minister was walking through a crowd of citizens, one of them called out to him by name, then pulled out a gun and started shooting, after which he was captured on the spot. Fico was hit by three bullets – two in the stomach and one in the shoulder. He was taken to hospital by helicopter and underwent surgery. Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kaliniak said on the morning of 16 May that Fico's condition had stabilised but remained serious.
Robert Fico became the head of the Slovak government in October 2023. In his speeches, the politician justified Russia's aggression against Ukraine and announced the termination of military assistance to Ukraine.
As reported, Juraj Cintula, who shot the Slovak prime minister, faces 25 years in prison – he is accused of attempted murder of a person under state protection.
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