Slovakia’s PM in life-threatening condition after being shot multiple times UPDATED/VIDEO

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was shot multiple times in an assassination attempt after a government meeting Wednesday and is in a life-threatening condition in hospital.

The shooting took place after an off-site government meeting in Handlova. Fico was first transported to a local hospital and then taken by helicopter to a major trauma center in Banska Bystrica, about 30 kilometers away, CNN reports.

“There was an assassination attempt on R. Fico. He was shot multiple times and is currently in a life-threatening condition. The next few hours will be decisive,” said a statement on Fico’s official Facebook page.

The official statement said the PM was taken there instead of the capital city of Bratislava because “an acute intervention” was necessary. Handlova is about two hours’ drive from the capital Bratislava.

Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová condemned what she called a “brutal and reckless” attack on the 59-year-old politician. “I’m shocked. I wish Roberto Fico all the strength in this critical moment to recover from the attack,” Čaputová wrote on Facebook.

18:18

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was wounded in a shooting on May 15 afternoon and taken to hospital.

Reports on TA3, a Slovakian TV station, said that Fico, 59, was hit in the stomach after four shots were fired outside the House of Culture in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometers northeast of the capital, where the leader was meeting with supporters. A suspect has been detained, it said. Police sealed off the scene, AP reports.

Deputy speaker of parliament Lubos Blaha confirmed the incident during a session of Parliament and adjourned it until further notice, the Slovak TASR news agency said.

President Zuzana Caputova condemned “a brutal and ruthless” attack on the premier.

“I’m shocked,” Caputova said. “I wish Robert Fico a lot of strength in this critical moment and a quick recovery from this attack.”

17:24

Media reports say Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico was injured in a shooting and taken to hospital.

The incident took place in the town of Handlova, some 150 kilometres northeast of the capital, AP reports citing news television station TA3.

Fico, 59, had been meeting supporters at a local cultural centre.

A suspect has been detained.