Trial of Man Who Shot Slovak Prime Minister Begins

Juraj Cintula, 72, admits he shot Robert Fico in May 2024 but denies he was trying to kill him.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference, CPAC, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on Feb. 21, 2025, in Oxon Hill, Md. Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo

The trial of the man who shot and seriously wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico last year has begun.

Juraj Cintula, 72, was led into court on Tuesday wearing shackles as court proceedings, which could see him spend the rest of his life behind bars, commence in the Specialized Criminal Court in the small city of Banska Bystrica in the heart of the country.