Slovak PM moved to home care after shooting

The hospital in the central city of Banska Bystrica said he was now receiving "home nursing care". He was airlifted to the capital, Bratislava, and taken home to continue his long road to recovery, reports say.

The 59-year-old was left fighting for his life after being shot four times at close range in the central town of Handlova on 15 May as he greeted supporters after a government meeting.

Mr Fico is said to have undergone a number of operations.

The head of Roosevelt hospital, Miriam Lapunikova, paid tribute to her medical colleagues "for a job well done" and thanked Mr Fico for being a "disciplined patient".

"We wish the prime minister a lot of strength and, above all, positive energy during his physically and time-consuming rehabilitation," she wrote on Facebook.

Slovak TV reported that he was flown by helicopter to Bratislava early on Thursday evening. There was an increased security presence around his flat in Bratislava's diplomatic district, not far from the centre of the city.

The veteran politician, who has served as prime minister for more than 10 of the last 18 years, returned to power last September at the head of a populist-nationalist coalition.

Slovakia has become increasingly polarised in recent months and the attack has only deepened tensions.

His alleged assailant, named by local media as 71-year-old Juraj Cintula, has been remanded in custody charged with attempted murder.

He is currently receiving psychiatric treatment and if convicted, faces the rest of his life in jail.

-bbc