| |
Slovakia PM's Condition Improves 05/20 06:12
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) -- Slovak populist Prime Minister Robert Fico's
condition is improving following an assassination attempt last week that
shocked the European Union nation deeply polarized over his policies.
"After today's consultation, the patient's condition is stabilized," the
hospital treating the Slovak leader in the central city of Bansk Bystrica said
on Monday.
A statement released by the clinic said Fico is "clinically improving,
communicating, inflammatory parameters are slowly decreasing."
It said Fico remains hospitalized in the clinic for the time being.
On Sunday, the clinic said that Fico, 59, was no longer in life threating
condition after he was shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters on
Wednesday outside a cultural center in the town of Handlova, nearly 140
kilometers (85 miles) northeast of the capital, Bratislava.
Video showed the Slovak premier approach people gathered at barricades and
reach out to shake hands as a man stepped forward, extended his arm and fired
five rounds before being tackled and arrested.
Fico immediately underwent a five-hour surgery to treat multiple wounds he
suffered in the shooting followed by another two-hour surgery Friday to remove
dead tissue from his gunshot wounds.
The country's Specialized Criminal Court in the town of Pezinok on Saturday
ordered the suspected assailant, who is charged with attempted murder, to
remain behind bars. The suspect can appeal the order.
Little information about the would-be assassin has been disclosed after
prosecutors told police not to publicly identify him or release details about
the case.
The government officials originally said they believed it was a politically
motivated attack committed by a "lone wolf," but announced on Sunday that a
"third party" might have been involved in "acting for the benefit of the
perpetrator."
Fico's government has made efforts to overhaul public broadcasting -- a move
critics said would give the government full control of public television and
radio. That, along with his plans to amend the penal code to eliminate a
special anti-graft prosecutor, have led opponents to worry that Fico will lead
Slovakia down a more autocratic path.
The government's smallest coalition partner, the ultranationalist Slovak
National Party, was expecting a government meeting early this week to discuss
the new media law, which the Parliament started to debate last week.
|
|
