The attacker of Slovak Prime Minister Fico was sentenced to 21 years in prison

A man who shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico in an attack last year has been jailed for 21 years after being found guilty of terrorism.

Juraj Sintula, a 72-year-old pensioner, fired five shots at the prime minister in May 2024 when he was visiting Handlova, about 180 km (112 miles) from the capital Bratislava.

The gunman shot Fizzo at extremely close range just as he reached out to shake his hand – thinking he was a supporter.

In court, Sintula denied trying to kill the prime minister, saying he had deliberately targeted his vital organs.

Footage from the scene of the shooting shows a man raising a gun and firing at the prime minister before being subdued by bodyguards. Other members of Fizo’s security team ushered the prime minister into his car.

He was seriously wounded in the abdomen and was airlifted to a nearby hospital for surgery, with his condition described as life-threatening.

The attacker, an amateur poet in his 70s, claimed he only wanted to hurt Fico to stop policies he said were harming Slovakia.

The prime minister tried to blame the attack and hate speech on the opposition, even though he himself is known for his deeply divisive rhetoric.

Syntula was convicted on terrorism charges, with Judge Igor Kralik stating: “The court considers it proven that the defendant did not attack a citizen, but specifically the Prime Minister.”

The gunman’s lawyer had tried to reduce the charge to assault on a public servant, which carries a lesser penalty, but that was rejected by the judge.

Cintula’s lawyer said he would likely appeal the sentence.