Slovakia PM shooting: Suspect charged with attempted murder

Slovakia is yet another country in Putin’s orbit, and, like Georgia, divided over whether to draw closer to Russia or the West. Today a man was charged with the attempted murder of Slovakian prime minister Robert Fico, who was shot repeatedly at close range yesterday.

The authorities say they believe the arrested man, who is 71, was a ‘lone wolf’ but that he has taken part in anti-government protests.

The prime minister, whose condition stabilised overnight following surgery, is seen as anti-Western and pointedly refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.