Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico remains in a stable but serious condition following a series of surgeries after an assassination attempt. On Wednesday, Fico was shot multiple times as he greeted supporters in Handlova, a former coal-mining town. The two-hour surgery to remove dead tissue has contributed to a “positive prognosis,” according to Health Minister Zuzana Dolinková.

The suspect in the shooting, described as a “lone wolf” gunman who had participated in anti-government protests, made his first court appearance in Pezinok on Saturday. The courthouse, heavily guarded by officers, barred entry to the media. Due to Fico’s condition, he cannot be transported back to Bratislava at this time.

The attack has heightened tensions in Slovakia, with Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak emphasizing the need for tolerance amidst the nation’s anxiety. Fico, who returned to power last September leading a populist-nationalist coalition, had been advocating policies contrary to those of the European Union, including opposing military aid to Ukraine.