(19 May 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
++PART MUTE++
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Banska Bystrica, Slovakia - 19 May 2024
1. Journalists at news conference ++MUTE++
2. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Robert Kalinak, Slovak Defence Minister:
++AUDIO QUALITY AS INCOMING++
"We want to thank all of you for closely monitoring and interest in the state of (Robert Fico's) health. I think that the worst of what we feared has passed, at least for the moment. But his condition is still serious and therefore he will be under the care of doctors at the Banská Bystrica hospital, to whom, once again, for all this, for the miracles that have taken place over the last few days, thank you all very much."
3. Kalinak speaking
4. SOUNDBITE (Slovak) Robert Kalinak, Slovakian Defence Minister:
"You know that the round table is one of the discussion platforms. It is not a start or a finish. I think it was a good idea, but given that we have had the opportunity to announce today regarding the Prime Minister's health, we probably need a little more time. I guess that is the whole answer. That was the tone of the speech, I spoke to the President yesterday, which she, of course, took note of. Moreover, one of the parties, which, in fact, from everybody's point of view, is also one of the leading causes of the tensions that have arisen in Slovakia after 2010, did not understand the situation and they have once again fully taken up the political struggle with the same tools that they were known for, which actually raised the tension. I think that we all need to realize this (to calm the situation) and those who do not realize this will exclude themselves from the political space."
5. Kalinak leaving ++MUTE++
STORYLINE:
The condition of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico remains "serious" but worst fears have "passed", the country's defence minister told journalists on Sunday.
Fico, 59, was shot in the abdomen as he greeted supporters following a government meeting Wednesday in the former coal mining town of Handlova, in an attack that sent shockwaves across the deeply polarized European Union nation.
"I think that the worst of what we feared has passed, at least for the moment,” Slovak Defence Minister Robert Kalinak told reporters outside the hospital where Fico is being treated.
“But his condition remains serious,” he added.
Fico had two hours of surgery on Friday to remove dead tissue from his gunshot wounds and he is still not healthy enough to travel to a hospital in the capital, Bratislava, ministers said.
The man accused of attempting to assassinate Fico was ordered to remain behind bars on Saturday, after prosecutors said they feared he could flee or carry out other crimes if set free.
The suspect can appeal the order to the Supreme Court.
AP video shot by Lefteris Pitarakis
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