From left to right: Fico's lawyer and adviser David Lindtner, Smer MP Tibor Gašpar and Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák during a press conference on 13 May 2025 in Bratislava. (source: YouTube)
One year after Prime Minister Robert Fico survived an attempted assassination, senior members of his ruling Smer party are using the attack to accuse their opponents of fuelling violence – and to cast themselves as victims in a growing campaign of political hatred.
At a lengthy press conference held just two days before the anniversary of the shooting, Smer officials displayed what they claimed were graphic images of Fico’s post-surgery scars, declaring them proof the attack had taken place. “This is a message to everyone who doubts the truth,” said David Lindtner, Fico’s legal adviser.
Additional visual material was released, following last month’s publication by Defence Minister Robert Kaliňák of photographs showing the prime minister’s bloodied jacket and shirt.
Lindtner was flanked by Kaliňák – who is also his business partner at their law firm – and Smer MP Tibor Gašpar, a former police chief. The trio launched what they called the first in a series of public mobilisation events – efforts critics say are designed to shift blame and intimidate opponents.
