Man sentenced to 21 years in prison for attack on Slovakia PM Robert Fico

**Slovakia’s Prime Minister Survives Assassination Attempt; Attacker Sentenced to 21 Years**

*Oct. 21 (UPI)* — Juraj Cintula, the man who attempted to kill Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024, was sentenced to 21 years in prison by a Slovak court on Tuesday. Charged with terrorism for the assassination attempt, Cintula faced a potential 25-year sentence but received a lighter penalty due to his age.

The 72-year-old Cintula shot Prime Minister Fico five times at close range with a pistol during a political gathering in Handlova. Fico was reportedly wounded in the stomach, arm, and leg. Although Fico did not attend the trial, he was represented by an attorney.

A known poet and activist, Cintula disagreed with Fico on several issues, notably Slovakia’s Ukrainian policy. He told police that his intention was to injure Fico so that he could no longer serve as prime minister.

Fico, a controversial figure in Slovak politics, returned to power on a pro-Russian and anti-U.S. platform. Widely viewed by European leaders as an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Fico took steps that diverged from Slovakia’s earlier support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion over three years ago. After regaining power, Fico halted shipments of arms to Ukraine.

Despite severe bullet wounds, Fico survived after undergoing emergency surgery. He later publicly forgave Cintula but criticized the country’s political opposition, blaming them for fostering a politically hostile environment that contributed to the attack.

Initially charged with attempted murder, prosecutors later upgraded the charges against Cintula to terrorism. According to Cintula’s lawyer, the verdict will be appealed to Slovakia’s high court.

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*Robert Fico continues to play a pivotal role in Slovak and Central European politics amid ongoing tensions related to Russia and Ukraine.*
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2025/10/21/Slovakia-Juraj-Cintula-Robert-Fico-assassination-gun-sentenced/9121761055619/

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