Meant "playfully"

Presenter in Belgium called for the murder of prime minister

Following the assassination attempt on Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico, a Belgian radio presenter called for the murder of head of government Alexander De Croo - the presenter was subsequently suspended. The presenter had meant his statements to be "playful", but this did not come across as such, according to a statement from local radio station Waregem1 on Thursday.

He had completely misjudged the timing and context. "The presenter was therefore suspended immediately." He had also apologized to listeners and the station.

Presenter: "So I say: go ahead."
On Wednesday, after the shots fired at Fico became known, the presenter literally said, according to broadcaster VRT: "To all those who are considering shooting Alexander De Croo but don't dare because of the security precautions around him: You see, it is possible to shoot a prime minister. So I say: go ahead."

Fico was shot several times by a 71-year-old in Slovakia on Wednesday after a government meeting in the town of Handlová. His condition remained serious on Thursday.

Prime Minister pressed charges
Belgium's Prime Minister De Croo filed a complaint on Thursday in the town of Waregem in the west of the country. His spokesman wrote on Platform X: "Incitement to violence is punishable by law."