people who are tolerant, accepting of other opinions and people who are always able to discuss. what happened today is a stigma which will haunt us for many years to come. but that is something that none of us think about at the moment. all we're focusing on is the condition of the prime minister, robert fico. we hope that he is strong enough to deal with this trauma. we will bring more information later. ladies and gentlemen, i can confirm that today is the day when we probably live the

saddest moment in the 31 years in the history of slovakia and the independent slovakia. because an attack on the _ independent slovakia. because an attack on the prime _ independent slovakia. because an attack on the prime minister - independent slovakia. because an attack on the prime minister is . independent slovakia. because an attack on the prime minister is an| attack on the prime minister is an attack_ attack on the prime minister is an attack on — attack on the prime minister is an attack on the prime minister is an attack on the democracy and the state _ attack on the democracy and the state itself. i can confirm that after — state itself. i can confirm that after today the meeting of the government and the attack was committed on the prime minister. the perpetrator— committed on the prime minister. the perpetrator shot five times in the prime _ perpetrator shot five times in the prime minister is in critical condition_ prime minister is in critical condition and is still in surgery as was mentioned before. in the first place _ was mentioned before. in the first place i_ was mentioned before. in the first place i would like to assure the public — place i would like to assure the public that we will make every effort — public that we will make every effort that is in our power to investigate this heinous crime. we're — investigate this heinous crime. we're doing this at the moment as we speak _ we're doing this at the moment as we speak the _ we're doing this at the moment as we speak. the initial information that we have _ speak. the initial information that we have clearly points to a

political _ we have clearly points to a political motivation. and to a decision_ political motivation. and to a decision of the perpetrator shortly after the _ decision of the perpetrator shortly after the presidential election. i would _ after the presidential election. i would like to appeal to you, the journalist — would like to appeal to you, the journalist and the public and all the politicians to stop spreading hate _ the politicians to stop spreading hate i_ the politicians to stop spreading hate. i would like to appeal to all citizens _ hate. i would like to appeal to all citizens who after this unprecedented act, heinous act still spread _ unprecedented act, heinous act still spread this— unprecedented act, heinous act still spread this hate to stop it. on social— spread this hate to stop it. on social media. i would like to work with law— social media. i would like to work with law enforcement authorities will act _ with law enforcement authorities will act and none of those expressions that confirm this heinous— expressions that confirm this heinous crime will go unpunished. and for _ heinous crime will go unpunished. and i'm not — heinous crime will go unpunished. and i'm not talking about agreeing with this _ and i'm not talking about agreeing with this terrible assassination attempt — with this terrible assassination attempt. but i would like to say to all citizens — attempt. but i would like to say to all citizens you can't respond to

hate _ all citizens you can't respond to hate with — all citizens you can't respond to hate with hate. that is why i would like to _ hate with hate. that is why i would like to ask — hate with hate. that is why i would like to ask you all to stop all this hate on — like to ask you all to stop all this hate on the social media. there or that on— hate on the social media. there or that on a _ hate on the social media. there or that on a political party, no matter whether— that on a political party, no matter whether it's — that on a political party, no matter whether it's the government party or opposition— whether it's the government party or opposition please stop this right now _ opposition please stop this right now law— opposition please stop this right now. law enforcement authorities and the police _ now. law enforcement authorities and the police have done everything they could to _ the police have done everything they could to protect our constitutional officials _ could to protect our constitutional officials including parliament deputies who at this moment are in the building in parliament, which is in a special— the building in parliament, which is in a special security regime. we will reinforce the protection of all constitutional officials in the coming _ constitutional officials in the coming moments and will offer increased — coming moments and will offer increased police protection to media outlets. _ increased police protection to media outlets, members of the governing coalition— outlets, members of the governing coalition but also members of the opposition. because what has started

now was— opposition. because what has started now was sown by many of you, by your hate _ now was sown by many of you, by your hate that _ now was sown by many of you, by your hate that is _ now was sown by many of you, by your hate. that is what you sowed that became _ hate. that is what you sowed that became the whirlwind that you sowed is what _ became the whirlwind that you sowed is what we _ became the whirlwind that you sowed is what we see right now. all the comments — is what we see right now. all the comments on social networks, please stop them _ comments on social networks, please stop them now, this attack on the pm is a result— stop them now, this attack on the pm is a result of— stop them now, this attack on the pm is a result of this. we will do everything in our power to protect the constitutional officials who could — the constitutional officials who could he — the constitutional officials who could be targets of such attacks including — could be targets of such attacks including journalists and public figures — including journalists and public figures. please calm down, let's not spread _ figures. please calm down, let's not spread hate. and i will appeal to the deputy pm to convene a security council _ the deputy pm to convene a security council tomorrow to evaluate the situation, — council tomorrow to evaluate the situation, which has arisen today and which — situation, which has arisen today and which i — situation, which has arisen today and which i would like to repeat is the saddest day for democracy in slovakia —

the saddest day for democracy in slovakia. an attack, and assassination attempt on a pm is an attack— assassination attempt on a pm is an attack on _ assassination attempt on a pm is an attack on democracy. thank you very much _ attack on democracy. thank you very much. . . , attack on democracy. thank you very much. ., ., , ~ , attack on democracy. thank you very much. ., ~ , ., much. that was the minister of interior, the _ much. that was the minister of interior, the minister _ much. that was the minister of interior, the minister of - much. that was the minister of interior, the minister of health | interior, the minister of health care. translation: according to the initial— translation: according to the initial information that we received we can— initial information that we received we can confirm this. the condition of the _ we can confirm this. the condition of the pm — we can confirm this. the condition of the pm is— we can confirm this. the condition of the pm is serious. he was shot for the _ of the pm is serious. he was shot for the we're not going to provide any more — for the we're not going to provide any more information put the surgeon is at the _ any more information put the surgeon is at the condition of the prime minister— is at the condition of the prime minister is _ is at the condition of the prime minister is life—threatening. it is serious, — minister is life—threatening. it is serious, it— minister is life—threatening. it is serious, it is life—threatening. this— serious, it is life—threatening. this is— serious, it is life—threatening. this is the _ serious, it is life—threatening. this is the information that we

received — this is the information that we received an hour ago, he is still in surgery~ _ received an hour ago, he is still in surue . . ,, . ~ . surgery. translation: i think that all medical specialists, _ surgery. translation: i think that all medical specialists, all - surgery. translation: i think that all medical specialists, all health i all medical specialists, all health care experts who helped the prime minister did theirjob. i see no reason to go into details from the initial emergencies services to the transfer and the surgery about three hours ago. there is a huge medical team that is trying to revert the effects of this assassination attempt.

translation: do you think they'll be a investigation? there will be a press _ a investigation? there will be a press conference of the police force tomorrow — press conference of the police force tomorrow. but what i can say openly is this— tomorrow. but what i can say openly is this assassination attempt was politically motivated and the decision of the perpetrator was born i’ilht decision of the perpetrator was born right after— decision of the perpetrator was born right after the presidential election. what about the increased protection — election. what about the increased protection of the constitutional officials — protection of the constitutional officials was mac what happened in response. — officials was mac what happened in response, we will make sure that people _ response, we will make sure that people in— response, we will make sure that people in slovakia are safe. it was mentioned — people in slovakia are safe. it was mentioned that journalists were worsening the situation. i was

monitoring the critical condition of the prime — monitoring the critical condition of the prime minister. i was in the surgery— the prime minister. i was in the surgery theatre with him. that was what _ surgery theatre with him. that was what was _ surgery theatre with him. that was what was on my mind. and another thing _ what was on my mind. and another thing on _ what was on my mind. and another thing on my— what was on my mind. and another thing on my mind was how can anyone be this— thing on my mind was how can anyone be this hateful? and please, let's not hate. — be this hateful? and please, let's not hate, make response to hate, that does — not hate, make response to hate, that does it — not hate, make response to hate, that does it appeal to all politicians. of course today we would — politicians. of course today we would also say something in a moment like this— would also say something in a moment like this but— would also say something in a moment like this but we will not. i ask in all society, _ like this but we will not. i ask in all society, let's calm down, let's not start— all society, let's calm down, let's not start killing each otherjust because — not start killing each otherjust because you can't respect another's opinion~ _ because you can't respect another's opinion~ l— because you can't respect another's oinion. ., ~' because you can't respect another's oinion. ., ,, ., ._ opinion. i would like to say one thin. i opinion. i would like to say one thing. i personally _ opinion. i would like to say one thing. i personally believe - opinion. i would like to say one thing. i personally believe that| thing. i personally believe that there are a number of people who today should take a look into the mirror and who should realise that

through their effort to become interesting and to inflate issues, maybe through venting their own frustrations, this led to the situation. this needs to change. and in many years we have been very generous towards these expressions. we were not the ones who were talking about some retribution. we were not the ones who were abusing criminal law, who were using their social media statuses to rail at other people, to direct hate speech at other people. from this point of view now is a time to take a look in the mirror. we're not going to carry anyjudgment at the moment. this

assassination attempt was politically motivated is beyond any doubt for the did you know that? i personally can't deal with this internally. i was willing to go into debate, to talk with people, we were overlooking many things. but an inability to accept the will of a part of society by a group of people led to the situation that we have today. and we can ask your colleague whether you like or don't like, we're fighting for the life of the prime minister who had the greatest support in leading this country. in

accordance with democratic traditions, if someone disagrees with this then they do not agree with this then they do not agree with the principles for which we fought in 1989. after 30 years we came to the moment that we're standing here in this press conference. i can't really find words to describe what we're witnessing today. i'm not sure that we conclude that slovakia has changed. but if it changed it changed. but if it changed it changed into a form wanted by no one. it's not going to be helpful to go on like this. no, let's stop this. let's everyone look in the mirror. let's take a look at what's important to the slovak public today and how are going to live in this

world. how others live, where slovakia has come over the last 20 years. this is where we come, this is the situation where we've arrived. we will be discussing this in the future a lot. but i've lived my whole political life with robert fico and i know what he is like. he is the first one who valued fundamental intervals. you all remember governments where we ruled on her own, where we ruled with our partners but none of you remembers situations like in the last few weeks. things that started a couple of weeks ago, it is our role to stop this.

boom madam journalist, iwill boom madam journalist, i will buy a mirrorfor you since you boom madam journalist, i will buy a mirror for you since you don't seem to have won. i'm not sure if today... maybe at next days he'll be able to react and find what happened. now i'm just focusing on the status of robert fico and his health. we'rejust talking about a level of democracy. about the ability to understand each other, to accept the other opinion and not only what is the good one.

somebody�*s different opinion, he has also his place on the earth and the political field. also his place on the earth and the politicalfield. this is the issue, what's happening it's a political assault. after react on that. item assault. after react on that. can ou sa assault. after react on that. can you say something about the shooters identity? _ you say something about the shooters identity? hieit— you say something about the shooters identi ? ., ., ._ you say something about the shooters identi ? ., ., . ., identity? not today. we will inform in the coming _ identity? not today. we will inform in the coming days. _ translation: apparently there is a video of— translation: apparently there is a video of the attacker, something about— video of the attacker, something about his — video of the attacker, something about his motives. have you seen it, can you _ about his motives. have you seen it, can you comment on a? as i've told you we _ can you comment on a? as i've told you i've been — can you comment on a? as i've told you i've been with the prime minister and you i've been with the prime ministerand i you i've been with the prime minister and i haven't you i've been with the prime ministerand i haven't been listening to any politicians. all i did and — listening to any politicians. all i did and do— listening to any politicians. all i did and do is appeal to everyone to

calm _ did and do is appeal to everyone to calm down — did and do is appeal to everyone to calm down for them and those who agree _ calm down for them and those who agree with — calm down for them and those who agree with this heinous crime should probably— agree with this heinous crime should probably be quiet. but those who are calling _ probably be quiet. but those who are calling for— probably be quiet. but those who are calling for retribution, please stop this. calling for retribution, please stop this i'm _ calling for retribution, please stop this. i'm asking you the media to use your— this. i'm asking you the media to use your force, use your influence. because _ use your force, use your influence. because so— use your force, use your influence. because so far many of you, those who are _ because so far many of you, those who are sowing this hatred please, realise _ who are sowing this hatred please, realise vou — who are sowing this hatred please, realise you have a social responsibility and make sure that you do— responsibility and make sure that you do everything to stop this hate. thank— you do everything to stop this hate. thank you — you do everything to stop this hate. thank you. goodbye. let�*s you do everything to stop this hate. thank you. goodbye.— you do everything to stop this hate. thank you. goodbye. let's bring you some of the — thank you. goodbye. let's bring you some of the new _ thank you. goodbye. let's bring you some of the new lines _ thank you. goodbye. let's bring you some of the new lines we _ thank you. goodbye. let's bring you some of the new lines we got - thank you. goodbye. let's bring you some of the new lines we got from i some of the new lines we got from that press conference there in slovakia. a very serious situation for the prime minister we now know from those government politicians there that he was shot five times, he's been in surgery for three and

half hours. and it is a very serious situation. he is fighting for his life, it is life—threatening status given on his health. and the hope now lies in the hands of the medical staff. they did come up at the beginning thanking the medical staff for efforts. it is a serious trauma. they said he's for his life. it is a complicated medical situation. as you can imagine with five shots being fired. interestingly, early indications they said pointed to a political motivation. we don't have an update yet from the police in terms of their investigation. as a result of this incident they said they would be increasing security for politicians. more broadly they said, this is probably the saddest moment in 31 years of slovakia,

saddest moment in their democracy. because they said an attack on the prime minister as an attack on democracy. an attack on the prime minister is an attack on democracy. so it seems from their comments that that surgery is still ongoing. we don't have any timescale yet about when he will be out of surgery or what update we get there. there didn't seem much hope at the moment. they said it depends on the work of the medical staff now. a cursory situation specifically with that complicated medical trauma with five shots. they believe early indications pointed to a political motivation behind that shooting. we will get plenty more information in a moment. around the world and across the uk.

this is the world today on bbc news.

this is bbc news. let's get the very latest on slovakia after that assassination attempts on robert fico, the prime minister. we now know his minister saying he's in surgery, he's been in surgery for about three and a half hours this is after received five gunshots. let's take a look at the aftermath of the incident itself. here he is being bundled away, dragged quickly into the back of that car by his bodyguards, security personnel. as the camera lens bends around to the left you can see through those people there is the suspect. believed to be carried out this shooting. this is the same incidents just different angle. it is either a

group of people again at the bottom there, being handcuffed thereby security detail is believed to be the alleged attacker. those government ministers in the last few minutes saying that early indications point to a political motivation. and the result now will be increased security for politicians. after he was taken away robert fico was transported by helicopter then to a medical facility. you could see him being transferred here. earlier we heard from an eyewitness who is at the scene. take a listen. we went to shake hands with _ take a listen. we went to shake hands with robert _ take a listen. we went to shake hands with robert fico, - take a listen. we went to shake hands with robert fico, i - take a listen. we went to shake hands with robert fico, i was i take a listen. we went to shake - hands with robert fico, i was taking pictures when he walked out of the building. we were waiting a long time, we're exciting, we want to shake his hand. at this moment we heard something like a pattern. we thought someone had made a joke and thrown a firecracker on the ground, that was my first reaction. i heard

three shots. it was won by one like if you throw a firecracker on the ground. yes, azara scratched his head then he fell next to the barrier. i think it's a nightmare. i'll tell you, i don't think i'll wake up from this. this sort of thing is not possible in slovakia. let's speak to sara cincurova — a freelance journalist based in bratislava. thank you for coming on the program. we heard from the government ministers giving the factual update, he still in surgery, three and half hours, the five gunshot wounds. they believe it's politically motivated. they were talking about spreading hate and appealing for people to stop spreading hate. can you just talk us through that, what they meeting there?— meeting there? that is quite a difficult question _ meeting there? that is quite a difficult question because - meeting there? that is quite a difficult question because i - meeting there? that is quite a l difficult question because i don't think i am able to say exactly what they mean when they say that. what i

can say for sure is in the aftermath of the attack there has been some tension in the parliament, in a meeting that was held right after the shooting. obviously, there have been some moments of tension. but i can say is also all the different political leaders from all parts of the political spectrum in slovakia had unanimously condemned the attack and wish robert fico a speedy recovery. and wish robert fico a speedy recove . , and wish robert fico a speedy recovery-— and wish robert fico a speedy recove . y . ~ ., recovery. they were talking about her bein: recovery. they were talking about her being probably _ recovery. they were talking about her being probably the _ recovery. they were talking about her being probably the saddest i her being probably the saddest moment in 31 years of democracy. that is correct. it's also one of the most horrific attacks on an eu leader in recent history. [30 the most horrific attacks on an eu leader in recent history.— the most horrific attacks on an eu leader in recent history. do we know an hinu leader in recent history. do we know anything more _ leader in recent history. do we know anything more about _ leader in recent history. do we know anything more about the _ leader in recent history. do we know anything more about the alleged - anything more about the alleged

attacker? this anything more about the alleged attacker? �* , . . , �* anything more about the alleged attacker? a . �* . attacker? as far as i'm concerned, i don't think— attacker? as far as i'm concerned, i don't think that — attacker? as far as i'm concerned, i don't think that the _ attacker? as far as i'm concerned, i don't think that the criminal - attacker? as far as i'm concerned, i don't think that the criminal police i don't think that the criminal police are at ministry of interior have released any information. however, there have been news reports in various slovakian newspapers and online media saying that the alleged shooter is a 71—year—old man who would've founded a political movement that he called against violence. i have read news reports again, these have not been confirmed by the official authorities or the ministry of interior. but there was online media that interviewed the son of the alleged attacker, who confirmed that his father owned this

gun legally. and that he did not suffer from any psychiatric diagnosis. suffer from any psychiatric diagnosis— suffer from any psychiatric diatnosis. , , , diagnosis. more broadly, give us the back round diagnosis. more broadly, give us the background to _ diagnosis. more broadly, give us the background to the _ diagnosis. more broadly, give us the background to the political— background to the political situation right now in the country. just today there were supposed to be a protest that was supposed to be held in bratislava this afternoon about the public broadcaster that was supposed to go through a large reform, changing its name in visual entity and the content of the news. there have been a series of protests recently against the coalition after it had been elected against many new laws that have been approved in the parliament. the however, even though

robert fico is seen as a controversial figure we do not know the motive of this shooting and we're not able to confirm anything. at least the official authorities have not released any official statement about the motive of the shooting. statement about the motive of the shootint. . ., statement about the motive of the shootint. ., ,, , ., , statement about the motive of the shootint. . ,, ,. , . ., shooting. thank you very much for comint shooting. thank you very much for coming on — shooting. thank you very much for coming on the _ shooting. thank you very much for coming on the program. _ a new video has reached us here at bbc news were there to show you the moment right before the attempted assassination took place for the robert fico, prime minister of slovakia shot five times after leaving the town. the suspect has been detained by police. just to let you know you will hear the gunshots in this clip that is coming up. let's take a look.

as you can see, we pause the video at the moment but we did hear the gunshots. we had heard from an eyewitness just a little earlier that they heard three gunshots, you could hearfive that they heard three gunshots, you could hear five there. that they heard three gunshots, you could hearfive there. we had an update from government ministers just in the last ten — 15 minutes or so confirming that he is in hospital being treated after five gunshot wounds. it is a life—threatening condition right now. stay with us. i'm louis vonjones, this is bbc news. —— louis vaughn i'm louis vonjones, this is bbc news. —— louis vaugthones. hello. low pressure is in charge of our weather right now,

and that means it is never going to be completely settled and completely dry. but there has been some sunshine. northern scotland was a good example of that today, lifting temperatures well up into the twenties. compare that with the scene in norfolk with a lot of cloud, some bits and pieces of rain thanks to this weatherfront, a very slow moving feature. and actually, we're going to see a pulse of heavier rain drifting back along that weather front as we head into tomorrow. tonight a lot of dry weather around, but with some areas of mist and murk and low clouds still plaguing some of these eastern coasts that rain getting going across parts of east anglia into lincolnshire and east yorkshire by the end of the night. so overnight lows, nine to 12 degrees, just a touch cooler than some recent nights. and then into tomorrow, these outbreaks of rain drift westwards across the north midlands, parts of northern england towards merseyside, maybe into north wales. to the north of that, well, a decent amount of sunshine.

scotland once again seeing some warm sunshine, particularly in the highlands where temperatures could climb to 23 degrees. but there is the potential for some quite sharp showers and thunderstorms to break out across western scotland later in the day. same sort of thing for northern ireland, perhaps the far north and northwest of england. then we're into our rain band and to the south of that, some spells of sunshine highs of 18, 19, maybe 20 degrees, but we will see some fairly heavy showers. now through thursday night this lump of wet weather slides away westwards. we'll see some areas of clouds and mist and murk, but through friday, i think most places should get to see at least some spells of sunshine with a scattering of showers breaking out. some of those showers could be on the heavy side, but temperatures again in the sunniest spots up to around 23 degrees this time. the warmest weather likely to be across the west and the south west of scotland, a little bit cooler in the far north of scotland into the weekend, low pressure loosens its grip. high pressure tries to build a fairly weak affair at this stage. but it does mean, particularly across the northern half of the uk, a lot of dry weather, some spells of sunshine, although the north and the west of scotland will be just a little bit cooler than it has been over recent days.

some north sea coasts could continue to struggle temperature wise. further south, a greater chance of showers, some of those on the heavy side, but also some spells of warm sunshine.

this is bbc news. the headlines. slovakia's prime minister robert fico is in a life—threatening condition

after being shot in the street. the government says it was an assassination attempt.