The court in Pezinok, a town just outside the capital Bratislava, thus ruled in favor of a motion by prosecutors, who had sought to have the suspect remanded in custody amid fears he could flee or commit further crimes, a spokesperson was quoted as saying by the Associated Press (AP) news agency.

The suspect has been charged with attempted premeditated murder and could face a sentence of between 25 years to life in prison, EFE added.

Robert Fico, 59, was attacked as he greeted supporters after a government meeting in the former mining town of Handlova on Wednesday. The suspect was overpowered and detained.

Prosecutors have asked police not to identify the suspect publicly or release other details about the case, but unconfirmed media reports said he was a 71-year-old pensioner and amateur poet who had worked as a security guard at a shopping mall in the southwest of the country.

Government officials have since given details that match that description. They said the suspect was not a member of any political group, although the attack itself was politically motivated.

Police in balaclavas and armed with shotguns guarded the court in Pezinok as the suspect appeared in court.

Media were not allowed inside the courtroom and reporters were kept behind a gate outside.

Fico underwent another operation on Friday to remove dead tissue from his body, said Miriam Lapuníková, the head of the University Hospital in Banska Bystrica, where Fico was airlifted after being shot.

Fico also underwent a CT scan and was conscious and stable in an intensive care unit at the hospital. The prime minister is conscious and stable in intensive care, medical sources said.

World leaders have condemned the attack and offered support to Fico and Slovakia.

Fico has long been a divisive figure in Slovakia and beyond. His return to power last year on a pro-Russia, anti-West platform has worried EU and NATO members that he could steer the country away from its pro-Western course, especially regarding Ukraine.

At the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Slovakia was one of Ukraine’s most vocal supporters, but Fico suspended arms deliveries to Ukraine when he returned to power for a fourth term as prime minister.

Tens of thousands of protesters have repeatedly rallied in the capital and across the country of 5.4 million people to denounce his policies.

Fico said on Facebook last month that he believed rising tensions in the country could lead to the killing of politicians and blamed the media for stoking tensions.

Before Fico returned to power last year, many of his political and business associates were investigated by police, and several have been charged. His planned overhaul of the justice system would scrap a special prosecutor’s office that tackles organised crime, corruption and extremism.

Read Also: Atacante de Robert Fico em tribunal. Eslovaco continua em estado grave (Portuguese version)