dpa
Bratislava
The Slovakian authorities are classifying the attempt to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico as a terrorist act rather than attempted murder, Attorney General Maros Zilinka said on Thursday.
The culprit now faces a life sentence for the crime committed in May, and anyone expressing public approval of the offence can also be punished with imprisonment following the new categorization.
Fico, a left-wing populist, was critically injured after being shot several times by a government opponent as he stepped outside to join waiting supporters after a government meeting in the small town of Handlova.
The attacker, who was detained immediately afterwards, is currently in custody. During police questioning, he said he was motivated by hatred of Fico and his government policy.
