Suspect charged with attempted murder of Slovak PM Robert Fico

The alleged assailant has not been formally named, but Slovak reports have widely identified him as a 71-year-old from the town of Levice.

Reports say he could face up to life in prison.

Robert Fico, 59, is in a serious but stable condition after being shot several times in what colleagues described as a politically motivated attack.

Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok told a news conference on Thursday that the suspect had acted alone and that he had previously taken part in anti-government protests.

“This is a lone wolf whose actions were accelerated after the presidential election since he was dissatisfied with its outcome,” he said.

Peter Pellegrini, a populist and ally of Robert Fico, won April’s vote.