Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico has been transferred from a hospital in the center of the country, two weeks after he was seriously injured in a shooting.
The hospital in the central city of Banská Bystrica said he was now receiving “home care”. He was reportedly flown to the capital Bratislava and then taken home to continue his long road to recovery.
The 59-year-old man was left behind Fighting for life after being shot four times On May 15, he greeted supporters from close range in the central town of Handlova after a government meeting.
Mr. Fico is said to have undergone multiple surgeries.
Miriam Lapunikova, president of Roosevelt Hospital, paid tribute to her medical colleagues’ “excellent work” and thanked Mr. Fico for being a “disciplined patient.”
“We wish the Prime Minister strength and, most importantly, positivity during his long physical recovery,” she wrote on Facebook.
Slovak television reported that he flew to Bratislava by helicopter early Thursday evening. His apartment is located in the diplomatic district of Bratislava, not far from the city center, and security personnel have increased around it.
The veteran politician, who has served as prime minister for more than 10 of the past 18 years, returned to power in September last year under the leadership of a populist-nationalist coalition.
Slovakia has become increasingly polarized in recent months, and this attack will only heighten tensions.
Local media identified his attacker as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, who has been arrested. Remanded in custody for attempted murder.
He is currently undergoing psychiatric treatment and faces spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
