Bratislava, 15 May 2024 (dpa/MIA) - Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has been injured in a shooting and taken to hospital, news agency TASR reported.

The shooting took place after a Cabinet meeting in the town of Handlová, the agency reported, citing the deputy leader of Fico's left-wing nationalist Smer party, Ľuboš Blaha.

"Utterly shocked by today's brutal and reckless attack on Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico, which I condemn in strongest possible terms," wrote President Zuzana Čaputová on X.

"I wish him lot of strength in this critical moment and early recovery. My thoughts are also with his family and close ones."

Fico's latest term as prime minister began in October. The 59-year-old previously held the post of prime minister from 2006 to 2010 and 2012 to 2018.

Photo: EPA