Slovakia PM's attacker sentenced to 21 years in prison

The verdict of the Specialised Criminal Court in the city of Banska Bystrica closes a trial that began in July and whose main question was whether Cintula, who admitted shooting Fico, was guilty of terrorism.

The ruling can be appealed at the nation's supreme court.

Fico was struck four times and was seriously injured in his abdomen, and also suffered injuries to his hip, hand and foot. He made his first public appearance in July 2025, a few months after the attack.

Cintula said he wanted to hurt but not kill Fico, because he wanted to stop him from continuing his policies which he said hurt Slovakian freedom and culture.