A Slovak court has found Juraj Cintula, the man who shot and wounded Prime Minister Robert Fico last year, guilty of terrorism and sentenced him to 21 years in prison.
The 72-year-old gunman fired five shots at Fico from just over a meter away as the prime minister greeted citizens in the town of Handlová in May 2024.
The verdict, delivered by the Specialized Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica, concluded a trial that began in July 2025. The central question was whether Cintula — who admitted to shooting Fico — was guilty of terrorism or of lesser crimes such as attempted murder or assault.
Fico’s Recovery and the Attack’s Impact
Fico, 61, was shot four times, sustaining serious abdominal injuries as well as wounds to his hip, arm, and foot. He made his first public appearance in July 2024, several months after the attack, and soon returned to work.
Cintula appeared in court wearing a blue shirt and black hoodie, escorted by armed guards. He claimed he did not intend to kill Fico but only to injure him, saying he wanted to stop policies that, in his view, “harmed freedom and culture in Slovakia.”
Leaving the courtroom, Cintula told reporters he would “definitely appeal” the verdict, calling it “unfair.”
Political Tensions and Court’s Reasoning
The attack exposed deep divisions in Slovak society and intensified the tensions between populist leader Fico and the liberal, pro-European opposition.
Judge Igor Kralik said during sentencing that Cintula’s act was not against a private citizen but specifically targeted the prime minister, fulfilling the criteria for a terrorist attack.
“The court considers it proven that the accused did not attack a citizen, but directly the prime minister,” Kralik stated.
Although the sentence is lower than life imprisonment, it reflects the seriousness of the crime.
Cintula’s defense argued that “not every attack on an official is terrorism”, urging for a lesser charge of assault on a public official.
However, David Lindtner, Fico’s lawyer, stated that Cintula “is not a pensioner but a terrorist” who wanted to create a dangerous precedent where political conflict is resolved through violence.
Fico’s Political Stance and Forgiveness
Fico, who returned to power in 2023, ended military aid to Ukraine, sought closer ties with Moscow, and reformed Slovakia’s public media system — policies that critics say undermine democracy.
During the trial, Cintula said he opposed Fico’s positions on Ukraine, media, and culture, describing the shooting as “a cry against the fear that paralyzes society.”
Despite ongoing health issues related to the attack, Fico stated that he has forgiven Cintula.
