A man who shot at Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico may belong to the pro-Russian paramilitary group Slovenskí Branci [“Slovak Conscripts”], Slovak media report. The individual in question is 71-year-old Juraj Čintula.
Investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi posted an article about the paramilitary group, mentioning the assailant. The article includes two screenshots from Slovenskí Branci’s posts showing the man who attempted to assassinate Fico.
“Wow. Looks like Slovak PM Robert Fico’s reported assailant, writer Juraj Cintula, was associated with pro-Russian paramilitary group Slovenskí Branci (SB). Their leader was even trained by Russian ex-Spetsnaz soldiers,” wrote Szabolcs Panyi.
The unregistered paramilitary group Slovenskí Branci has been operating in Slovakia since 2012 and has collaborated with the Slovak branch of the Night Wolves biker club. Former Russian special forces even trained some Slovenskí Branci members previously.
The assault on the Slovak Prime Minister took place in broad daylight on May 15th. Juraj Čintula discharged multiple rounds at Fico, resulting in physical harm to the politician. Fico is now hospitalized and remains in critical condition.
Cover: | Zumapress.com
