Following the assault, - Slovakian Premier Fico Discharged from Hospital for Home Medical Treatment
On Thursday night, Prime Minister Robert Fico, who was seriously injured in an attack, flew from the hospital in Banska Bystrica to Bratislava. This was reported by the online news channel TA3, citing hospital director Miriam Lapunikova. She had previously announced that Fico would not be transferred to another hospital but would be placed under home care once his health permits. The public broadcaster RTVS reported that police had been stationed at the building complex in a villa district of Bratislava, where Fico's home is situated.
Fico had been operated on twice for several hours in the hospital of Banska Bystrica after the attack. The clinic had described the 59-year-old's health condition on Wednesday as "satisfactory."
Fico's healing process could be "extremely lengthy"
Fico's deputy, Robert Kalinak, informed journalists on Wednesday that the prime minister's recovery would likely be "extremely lengthy" as his injuries were very severe. Though Fico had begun to improve and was eating again, his healing process was expected to take a long time, added Kalinak.
The left-populist prime minister was shot at close range by an opponent on May 15, just as he was leaving a government meeting in Handlova to face waiting protesters. The assailant, a 71-year-old amateur writer, was arrested immediately after the attack. In his police interrogation, the attacker explained his actions by expressing hatred for Fico and his government policy, as indicated in a DPA court document. He is being investigated for attempted murder.
