Probe into Fico's bodyguard following assassination attempt.
Upon the shooting of Slovakian Prime Minister Fico, his bodyguards have faced significant criticism. Experts are notably perplexed at the chaos exhibited by these guards, particularly due to the shocking lack of action against the perpetrator. Fico, in a few weeks prior, addressed the threat of shootings directed at politicians, raising the question of who assessed the threat and how.
A spokesperson for the Slovakian authorities conveyed that investigations had started on Wednesday on the grounds of "obstructing the duties of a public official". Soon after, several Slovakian experts voiced their concerns, citing the unorganized behavior of the bodyguards and their inability to put themselves in front of the assailant.
Former Slovakian police chief, Stefan Hamran, remarked, "If I'm not mistaken, Fico himself spoke about the danger of someone shooting at politicians a few weeks ago. Someone must have analyzed this and evaluated the threat situation. His criticism also revolved around the chaotic aftermath of the attack: "It's evident there was chaos there, and that's a failure."
Similarly, the former head of the Slovakian personal security unit, Juraj Zabojnik, shared his disapproval with the news channel TA3. "If four to five shots can be fired, someone is at fault, and so, the bodyguards may not be properly trained," claimed Zabojnik. He went on to express his surprise at the absence of any of the bodyguards standing in front of Fico. He also predicted that the investigation following the event would be rigorous, given the mellow crowd outside Handlova's House of Culture where the incident occurred.
Ex-policeman and security consultant Lumir Nemec believed that the situation was inherently risky, as anyone could have walked up to the barrier without a proper security check. "The bodyguards have a limited time to react and any error could prove fatal," warned Nemec.
Attempted Murder Investigation
The assault on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico took place on Wednesday afternoon as he greeted well-wishers in the town's main square following a cabinet meeting at the House of Culture in Handlova. Injured gravely, Fico required hours of emergency surgery. As per government sources, his condition remains stable, though still severe, and he has regained some responsiveness.
Meanwhile, a probe into attempted murder has been launched against the alleged culprit. This information came from the Interior Minister, Matus Sutaj Estok, who declared that the crime was "politically motivated". The suspect, a writer hailing from the central Slovakian town of Levice, acted as a solitary offender, his motive being anger over the Slovakian presidential election's outcome.
Statements from bulletins site
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Despite the ongoing investigation into the attempted murder of Slovakian Prime Minister Fico in Bratislava, Slovakia, the lackluster response from his bodyguards during the assassination attempt has raised concerns. Experts and former security officials have criticized the chaos that ensued, questioning whether proper assessments of potential threats were made and if the bodyguards were adequately trained.
Source: www.ntv.de
