By Iryna Uias
Copyright sme
Good evening. Here is the Friday, September 19 edition of Today in Slovakia – the main news of the day in a few minutes.
Is Fico’s assailant a terrorist? The court considers his actions and motives
The trial of Juraj Cintula, the 72-year-old Slovak citizen accused of shooting Prime Minister Robert Fico in May 2024 in Handlová, is entering its final stages at the Specialised Criminal Court (ŠTS) in Banská Bystrica. On Friday, September 19, the court heard the final witnesses in the trial, the Sme daily and TASR newswire reported.
UNUSUAL TRIAL: The trial is unusual, as it centres not on culpability – Cintula admits having shot at Fico – but on whether his actions constitute a terrorist offence, which would affect the severity of the sentence. Cintula claims his intention was to incapacitate, not kill, the prime minister. Among the evidence presented was witness testimony from members of Fico’s security detail on the day of the attack, and video footage of the incident.
BODYGUARDS TESTIFY: Witnesses from Fico’s security detail described the shooting – where they stood, how they reacted, and how the attacker was subdued. One guard recalled: “After the government session, the prime minister headed toward the car. Then I heard a shot and saw a hand with a pistol above the barriers separating the crowd from the prime minister. Multiple shots – about four – were fired, the barrel was about a metre and a half from him. He fell to the ground.”
HEAD OF LOCAL TV STATION TESTIFIES: Dana Reindlová, head of a regional TV station in Prievidza that was filming Fico at the time of the shooting, testified that her team was the only one to record the entire incident. “It was my camerawoman’s quick reaction – she didn’t panic and held the camera until the end. I’m not happy we captured these shots. I’d rather live in a more civilised society where no one shoots at anyone,” Reindlová said.
CINTULA’S DEFENCE: Cintula remained silent during the witness testimony. However, he insists he did not intend to kill Fico, only to make him unable to continue as prime minister. He claims the shooting was motivated by anger toward Fico’s government, which he considered “treacherous towards the EU”. As Fico approached well-wishers in Handlová, Cintula fired five shots from a weapon that he owned legally, Sme and TASR reported. “The shots did not damage his heart, lungs or brain,” Cintula emphasised.
SECRET RECORDINGS AND AGENT INVOLVEMENT: The court has reviewed audio recordings made by an undercover agent deployed while Cintula was in a prison hospital in Trenčín. The agent’s role was to question Cintula about his motives and planning, but the defence argues the agent introduced ideas about the government that Cintula had not expressed on his own. Only selected portions of the recordings are being presented in court, with the public excluded to protect the agent’s identity.
The court continues to focus on motivation and intent, not whether Cintula fired the shots. Upcoming hearings will include telephone conversations between Cintula and his wife, and more excerpts from the agent’s recordings.
The trial, which began in early July and is now in its third month. Submissions are expected to conclude next Friday, September 26, followed by closing arguments and a verdict, potentially in October.
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FEATURE STORY
Slovak clubs bring fresh style to the ice
Slovakia’s top ice-hockey league, the Tipsport Liga, kicks off the season with bold jersey changes and classic updates. Slovan Bratislava unveiled a full rebrand with a new logo uniting all club teams, while HC Košice returned to its iconic orange home strip. Liptovský Mikuláš drew NHL inspiration with a striking white-and-gold stripe, and HK Dukla Michalovce let fans choose a fox logo for their redesigned black-and-orange set.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Bratislava’s Panenská Street comes alive for the autumn Good Market
Brighten your weekend in Bratislava with the autumn Good Market (Dobrý Trh) on Panenská Street this Saturday. Crafts, art, food and live music will celebrate ‘The Art of Coexistence’ between 10:00 and 17:00. Kids can enjoy a dedicated Children’s Market, while all-day activities bring the community together in a colourful, festive atmosphere.
IN OTHER NEWS
Slovakia hosted the second-ever expanded meeting of NATO’s Security Committee from Wednesday to Friday, bringing together representatives from more than 60 countries and organizations. The event, co-organised by the National Security Authority (NBÚ), highlighted Slovakia’s growing role and respect within the alliance, according to NBÚ spokeswoman Kristína Petro Garaiová. Delegates focused on sharing best practices for protecting classified information and addressing emerging security threats. State Secretary (i.e. deputy foreign minister) Marek Eštok opened the talks, underlining the Slovak government’s support for international security cooperation. Security Committee Chair Galen J. Nace praised the strengthened partnerships, noting improved protections and closer ties with both NATO members and partner countries. (TASR, Sme)The Polish Institute in Bratislava is celebrating its 75th anniversary this week. Established on September 26, 1950, as Nové Poľsko, the institute has undergone several name and organisational changes over the decades. Since 1994, it has operated under its current name, continuing its mission of building cultural bridges between Poland and Slovakia through art, literature, music, film, and science. (TASR)From next year, cities in Trenčín Region will take over funding of their local public transport, a role previously handled by the regional government. The change, mandated by a law in force since January 2024, could lead to reductions in some bus lines, especially in smaller towns like Myjava, Ilava and Dubnica nad Váhom. Some municipalities are exploring alternative solutions or negotiating partial co-financing with the region to maintain services. Trenčín, Považská Bystrica and Partizánske already operate a combined city-and-regional transport model successfully. Residents in affected areas may face fewer connections if towns cannot cover the full costs themselves. (Sme)Prešov Transport Company (DPMP), the city’s public transport operator, is opening its doors to the public again after six years. The Open Day will take place on Saturday, 20 September, from 10:00 to 14:00 at the DPMP premises on Bardejovská Street in Ľubotice. Entrance is free. Visitors can tour the bus and trolleybus maintenance workshops, see both new and historical vehicles, and try out a mobile traffic playground for children. Free shuttle buses will run throughout the event from the Sekčov, Sídlisko III and Šváby housing estates. (Korzár)The European Commission has proposed the EU’s 19th sanctions package against Russia, targeting banks, exports, cryptocurrency schemes, and 118 ships in Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, as well as banning imports of Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) from January 2027. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the measures aim to cut Russia’s revenue and speed up the bloc’s energy independence. The package also includes sanctions on individuals involved in the abduction of Ukrainian children. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico criticised the proposal, saying it would significantly harm the competitiveness of both Slovakia and the EU. The plan was delayed partly to pressure Hungary and Slovakia to reduce their reliance on Russian oil. (Sme)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: The weekend will treat us to warm, sunny, dry weather, with temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C. No rain is expected, so enjoy your weekend to the fullest. (SHMÚ)
WEEKEND PARTY TIME: Ľuboslav & Ľuboslava, Matúš and Móric are the lucky ones celebrating their name days this weekend. Send your best wishes to all the Ľuboslavs & Ľuboslavas (on Saturday, September 20), Matúšes (on Sunday, September 21) and, last but not least, all those Mórics (on Monday, September 22) in your life.
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