And how the attack unfolded. This was the moment a european leader was shot. Gunshots. As he greeted members of the public in front of a local community centre. Robert fico was shot in the stomach and in the arm. His Security Team half dragged, half carried him to his car. A few metres away, amidst the chaos, Security Officials push a man to the ground. The suspect is believed to be in his 70s. Witnesses say he shot at the Prime Minister several times. Translation i heard three shots. It was quick, one by one, like if you throw firecrackers on the ground. I saw a scratch on the Prime Ministers head and then he fell next to the barrier. Its a nightmare. The 59 year old was flown by helicopter to hospital, where he had emergency surgery. Officials said his condition was critical. A few hours later, a sombre president addressed the nation. Translation i am shocked, we are all shocked by the terrible and vicious attack on Prime Minister robert fico. A physical attack on the Prime Minister
That he is not in a life threatening situation. In slovakia we won two elections, the president ial one in october and we had parliamentary elections, so our government has pretty stabile and strong support in the public but after what he did in the political arena, his presence in slovakia, we think the opposition uses false narratives often and in International Politics about our government, they speak of false narratives that we want to leave the european union, that we want to join the cooperation with russia. And all these false narratives. And, of course, people from the other side who lost in the elections sometimes believe these narratives, and they can become a little bit, lets say, upset. The attack took place in the central town of handlova. Our correspondent bethany bell is in the capital bratislava with more on the suspect, and how the attack played out. This was the moment a european leader was shot. Gunshots. As he greeted members of the public in front of a local commun
Emmanuel macron condemned to be but appears to be the attempted assassination of the Prime Minister of slovakia. Who did it and why, tonight we will have the latest. Good evening. Slovakias Prime Minister robert fico is said to be fighting for his life after being shot multiple times in an assassination attempt. Mr fico had been attending a government meeting. As he spoke to crowds afterwards he was shot five times, before being bundled into a car by security personnel. He has been in surgery for three and a half hours. The suspect has been detained by police. Slovak ministers have said the attack was politically motivated. It took place in the Central Slovakia town of handlova. Slovakia borders ukraine, and mr fico has been a divisive figure considered by some as authoritarian and russia leaning. Tonight well hear from our Europe Editor katya adler in brussels on the significance of this attack on a European Leader, but first bethany bell is in slovakia. Bethany . There is a real sens
Lets speak to pepe diiasio whos General Secretary of the association of school and college leaders. Thank you so much forjoining us here on bbc news. So tell me, it is this guidance your members have been crying out for . I this guidance your members have been crying out for . Crying out for . I think it is fair to say that crying out for . I think it is fair to say that we crying out for . I think it is fair to say that we have crying out for . I think it is fair to say that we have been crying out for . I think it is fair. To say that we have been wanting this guidance for some time, for a period now, we found ourselves between a difficulty with parents who are saying, what are you delivering and when and in what form are you delivering sexual relation education . And at the same time, not having some level Playing Field that the government can share with us about what their expectations are and their guidance. So we can point to that to say to parents, we are following what the gove