Tens of thousands protest across Slovakia against PM Robert Fico's stance on Russia

Tens of thousands of people have taken to the streets across Slovakia to voice their opposition to the policies of Prime Minister Robert Rico who they accuse of being pro-Russia.

The latest wave of anti-government rallies was fuelled by Fico's trip to Moscow on Thursday to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare visit to the Kremlin by a European Union leader since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

"Slovakia belongs to Europe, we want to belong to Europe in terms of values. We do not belong to Russia, we do not actually want to collaborate with Russia in any way, and this is our position, which we must express politely but responsibly,” said Marián Kulich, the Managing Director of the Peace for Ukraine organisation, speaking at a rally in the capital, Bratislava.

Fico's recent remarks that that it was a possibility to change Slovakia's foreign policy orientation and leave the European Union and NATO were among other recent steps by the prime minister that has sparked anger among protesters.

Friday's protests took place in 28 locations, more than double that compared to two weeks ago amid heightened tensions after Fico accused organisers and the opposition earlier this week of being in contact with an unspecified group of foreigners who he says are working toward engineering a coup in Slovakia.

Fico linked his accusations to a secret report by the country's spy service (SIS) that he presented in parliament on Tuesday.

The details aren't known but Fico publicly said that the opposition plans to occupy government buildings, block roads, organise a nationwide strike and provoke clashes with police forces as parts of the alleged plan to overthrow his government.

"We see a structure that wants to exploit these meetings, these