A Slovakian court ruled on Saturday that the man accused of attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Robert Fico will be remanded in custody, a court spokesman said.

Slovakia’s Special Criminal Court ordered the suspect’s detention after prosecutors determined the defendant could flee or commit other crimes if released, a court spokesman said. The suspect can appeal the order to the Supreme Court.

The suspect in the attempted murder of Robert Fitzo arrived today at the criminal court in Pezinok, northeast of Bratislava.

The man, identified by Slovak media as 71-year-old poet Juraj Syntula, shot the Slovak prime minister five times on Wednesday, hitting him four times.

Ficho’s health condition is now serious, but stable

Meanwhile, earlier today, Slovakia’s health minister said Prime Minister Robert Fitzow’s health is now stable.

For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Robert Kalinak said that there is communication with Fitzo, as much as possible given his condition, after the assassination attempt.

He added that his transfer to a hospital in Bratislava is still unlikely.

We are close to a positive prognosis, he said.

Kalinak also said that there is no need to transfer Fitzo’s official duties.

Slovakia’s prime minister underwent a two-hour surgery yesterday, Friday, raising hopes for his recovery. The attack sent shockwaves across Europe and concerns about the polarized political situation in the country of 5.4 million people.