US State Secy condemns political violence, wishes speedy recovery for Slovak PM

US State Secretary Antony Blinken held a telephonic conversation with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar to express solidarity following the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement on ThursdayIn his conversation with the Slovakian minister Blinken also extended his wishes for the speedy recovery of the critically injured Slovakian PM and condemned political violence in all its formsSecretary of State Antony J Blinken spoke with Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar following the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico The Secretary expressed solidarity with Slovakia and his wishes for the Prime Ministers speedy recovery Secretary Blinken underlined the enduring bonds between the American and Slovak people He condemned political violence in all its forms spokesperson Miller said in a statementMeanwhile a politically motivated lone wolf has been charged in the assassination attempt on Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico CNN reported citing the countrys interior minister on ThursdayFollowing five closerange shots and surgery Ficos health is stable but serious according to his deputyThe attempted murder stunned the nation in central Europe and provoked outrage around the world Attacks on the 59yearold populist leader followed an offsite government meeting in the town of Handlova on Wednesday according to CNNThe leader came back to power last year and his contentious measures have prompted protests in recent weeksAs the prime minister walked up to a small group of people who were expecting him a possible shooter in the crowd jumped forward and opened fire on him five times from the other side of a security screenFico was stabilised but in a very serious condition according to hospital director Miriam Lapunikova on Thursday and he would stay in the intensive care unitShe further mentioned that the prime minister was operated on by two surgical teams at the hospital according to CNNOn Thursday morning the countrys Defence Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak said Ficos condition has been stabilized overnight more steps are being taken to better his health The situation is really seriousThe assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico has sent shockwaves throughout Slovakia The incident occurred following an offsite government meeting in the central Slovak town of HandlovaThe suspected gunman among a small crowd awaiting the Prime Minister outside the cultural centre where the meeting took place reportedly targeted Fico Footage from the scene captured the Prime Minister being rushed into a vehicle by his staff before being taken to a local hospital and later transferred to a major trauma centre in Banska BystricaFortunately no other injuries were reported in the attackThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever