Juraj Cintula Sentenced to 21 Years for Attack on Slovak Prime Minister

BANSKÁ BYSTRICA, Slovakia — A 72-year-old writer, Juraj Cintula, has been sentenced to 21 years in prison for attempting to kill Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. The verdict, issued by the Slovak Specialized Criminal Court, follows an attack that occurred on May 15, 2024, in Handlová, about 140 kilometers northeast of Bratislava.

During the incident, Cintula shot Fico in the stomach after the prime minister addressed his supporters following a government meeting. Fico was rushed to a hospital in Banská Bystrica, where he underwent two major surgeries, the first lasting five hours.

Cintula was apprehended immediately after the shooting and remained in custody throughout his trial. He denied being a terrorist, stating he acted out of disagreement with government policies. However, during courtroom proceedings, he did not testify but confirmed that he wanted to ‘harm the health of the prime minister’ without intending to kill him. He expressed relief upon learning Fico survived.

Although the initial charge was attempted murder, the prosecution later reclassified the charge as a terrorist attack after reviewing the evidence. Initial evaluations labeled Cintula as a ‘lone wolf’, but authorities later indicated a possible third party’s involvement in planning the attack.

Fico has publicly criticized the liberal opposition and media, suggesting they contributed to an environment of hatred. However, he expressed forgiveness towards Cintula and stated he did not seek further legal action. Notably, Fico did not attend the court hearings, and Cintula’s verdict is currently subject to appeal.