The Specialized Criminal Court in Banská Bystrica (Central Slovakia) has sentenced 72-year-old retired writer Juraj Čintula to 21 years in prison for an assassination attempt against the country’s Prime Minister Robert Fico on May 15, 2024, Markiza reports.

Čintula was convicted under the terrorism statute. The attack took place in the town of Handlová (western Slovakia). The Prime Minister sustained multiple gunshot wounds, underwent several surgeries, and was able to resume his official duties only two and a half months later. Doctors stated that Fico survived by a miracle.