More than a year after the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, the trial against the perpetrator - pensioner Juraj K. - continues at the Specialized Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica, reports the Slovak news agency TASR, BTA reports.
On the third day of the trial, members of the security service for constitutional officials and diplomatic missions who witnessed the shooting gave testimony. However, one of the summoned guards did not appear in court.
Initially, Juraj K. was charged with deliberate attempted murder under aggravating circumstances. In July 2024, the prosecution reclassified the charge as an aggravated act of terrorism, which could lead to a life sentence. The defendant's lawyer admitted to the court that the charges were well-founded, but disputed the definition of the act as terrorism.
According to the investigation, Juraj K. acted out of anger and disagreement with the cabinet's policy, which he believed was treasonous towards the EU. His motives also included Slovakia's desire to provide military assistance to Ukraine.
The assassination attempt was carried out during an open government meeting in the town of Handlova. Juraj K. used a legally owned pistol and fired five shots. In the courtroom, he stated that he had deliberately shot downwards and had no intention of killing the prime minister. He again stressed that he had never felt personal hatred for Robert Fico, but was very angry – especially after a statement by the Prime Minister, in which the cultural community was called "spiritually homeless people".