Premier's Would-be Assassin Juraj C. to Remain in Custody

Bratislava, April 8 (TASR) - The Supreme Court ruled at its non-public session on Tuesday that Juraj C. [name abbreviated due to legal reasons], who is accused in the case of the assassination attempt on Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) last year, will remain in custody, TASR was told by spokeswoman for the Supreme Court Alexandra Vazanova. The court remanded the defendant in custody on preventive grounds. "The senate reached the conclusion that at this stage of the criminal proceedings, the grounds for fearing that he might escape no longer apply," stated the spokeswoman. The Specialised Criminal Court (STS) decided on March 24 to keep Juraj C. in custody due to the fear that he might escape or continue his criminal activities. However, the accused lodged an appeal. The Supreme Court revoked STS's decision and kept Juraj C. in preventive custody only. The defendant caused heavy gunshot injuries to the prime minister during the government's away-from-home session in Handlova (Trencin region) last May. He initially faced charges of a premeditated murder attempt, but the deed was reclassified in July 2024 as an aggravated terrorist attack. If found guilty of the crime in question, Juraj C. might face a life sentence. am/df