For 12 days, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico’s whereabouts were unknown following his unannounced visit to Moscow in late December, as the government refused to disclose details of his travel or confirm his return. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) efforts by readers have since geolocated him to the Capella Hanoi hotel in Vietnam, where he stayed in the luxurious Grand Opera Madam Butterfly suite at €5470 per night – a cost far exceeding his official salary of €11,200. While his 2 January 2025 video confirms his presence in Hanoi, two earlier videos released between 23 December and 2 January remain unaccounted for, with evidence suggesting they were filmed elsewhere. Fico’s absence, coupled with the government’s silence, raises serious questions about his activities, potential extended stay in Moscow, and why Slovakia’s Prime Minister has evaded public accountability.
Prime Minister Robert Fico’s location has been unknown for 12 days following his unannounced visit to Moscow in late December. The Slovak government has refused to disclose details of the trip, including Fico’s mode of transport, itinerary, or any official engagements. This lack of transparency has raised public and political concerns.
Since the Moscow visit, Fico has released multiple pre-recorded videos on social media, primarily through Facebook, his sole channel of public communication. These videos feature closed curtains and nondescript backdrops, obscuring any identifiable details about his location. The most recent video, released on 2 January 2025, has been conclusively geolocated to the Capella Hanoi hotel in Vietnam by readers of the Slovak daily Denník N using open-source intelligence (OSINT).
Fico has been identified as staying in the hotel’s most prestigious suite, the Grand Opera Madam Butterfly, which costs €5470 per night. The suite spans 194 square metres and includes a large marble bathroom with a gilded bathtub, a private terrace, and views of Hanoi’s Con Coc Garden and the old quarter. With taxes and fees, the total cost for one night amounts to €6203, though the duration of Fico’s stay remains unknown.
Grand Opera Madam Butterfly at the Capella Hanoi Hotel
Despite the identification of his Hanoi location, two earlier videos released between 23 December—when Fico met with Vladimir Putin—and 2 January have not been geolocated. Their differing settings suggest they were not filmed in Hanoi, raising the possibility that Fico may have remained in Moscow or another undisclosed location during this period. This continued lack of clarity fuels further speculation and public scrutiny over his prolonged absence from Slovakia.
Source: Lucia Osvaldová | Denník N
