Slovakia's Interior Minister has said the shooting of Prime Minister Robert Fico on Wednesday was a politically motivated assassination attempt.
Slovakian ministers held a press conference on Thursday following the incident. Defense Minister Robert Kalinak said the medical team managed to stabilize Fico, but that he is still not out of danger.
Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok said the suspect stated that it was an assassination attempt based on political motives. Among these were the reduction in assistance to Ukraine for its fight against the Russian invasion, he added.
The interior minister also said the suspect was against the abolishment of the special prosecutor's office and changes in handling the media. The special prosecutor conducts corruption investigations, and the new media handling is regarded by critics as tightened control.
The shooting occurred in Handlova in central Slovakia, where Fico was visiting to attend a government meeting.
He was shot as he was walking toward a crowd of local residents after the meeting. Fico was taken to hospital by helicopter and the suspect was detained at the scene.