Slovakia leader ‘stabilized’ after five hours in surgery following assassination attempt

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico is in stable but serious condition after being shot five times at close range

The 59-year-old populist leader was attacked after an off-site government meeting in Handlova

Fico was shot by a suspected gunman who lunged forward from a small crowd.

He underwent over five hours of surgery after being airlifted to a major trauma center

Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák stated that Fico's condition had stabilized overnight but remained serious

The alleged shooter, identified as a 71-year-old man, has been detained by police.