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Bissau army kills 'coup-plotters' Bissau military kills politicians
(about 6 hours later)
The security forces in Guinea-Bissau have shot dead at least four people, including two senior politicians they accused of plotting a coup. A presidential candidate and a former defence minister have been shot dead by soldiers in Guinea-Bissau who accused them of plotting a coup.
Baciro Dabo, a minister and candidate in this month's presidential elections, was killed at his home. Baciro Dabo, a minister and a contender in the election due to be held this month, was killed at his home.
The authorities say he resisted arrest but his allies said he was asleep with his wife when he was shot. The authorities say he resisted arrest but allies insist he was asleep with his wife when he was shot.
Former Defence Minister Helder Proenca and two of his guards were also killed in the unstable West African country.Former Defence Minister Helder Proenca and two of his guards were also killed in the unstable West African country.
Mr Proenca was accused of being the mastermind of the alleged coup. He was killed separately from Mr Dabo.
There are unconfirmed reports that former Prime Minister Faustino Fudut Imbali was also killed. His wife says he was taken away by the military, which accuses him of being involved in the alleged coup plot.
Among the authors of this coup some came quietly while others tried to resist, that is why they were killed State intelligence agencyAmong the authors of this coup some came quietly while others tried to resist, that is why they were killed State intelligence agency
There is concern for the safety of former Prime Minister Faustino Fudut Imbali after reports of his death too.
Latest reports suggest that Mr Imbali, whose wife says he was taken away by the military, is being detained on suspicion of involvement in the alleged coup plot.
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana condemned the killings in the former Portuguese colony, and called for a thorough investigation.
The 28 June election was called after President Joao Bernardo Vieira was killed by soldiers in March.The 28 June election was called after President Joao Bernardo Vieira was killed by soldiers in March.
The BBC's Will Ross says that election may now be postponed. The BBC's Will Ross says the election may now be postponed.
He says the army looks set to continue to play a destabilising role in a country which has been plagued by coups since independence in 1975. The army looks set to continue to play a destabilising role in a country which has been plagued by coups since independence in 1975, our correspondent adds.
In recent years, Guinea-Bissau has also become a key transit point for trafficking cocaine from Latin America to Europe. 'Tragic events'
Prosecution fears? Mr Proenca was accused of being the mastermind of the alleged coup. He was killed separately from Mr Dabo.
A statement from the state intelligence services said several other politicians - all members of the ruling PAIGC party - were detained. Baciro Dabo had been standing as an independent candidate
"This was about nipping a coup attempt in the bud. Among the authors of this coup some came quietly while others tried to resist, that is why they were killed," it said. A government statement confirmed their deaths but made no mention of Mr Imbali's fate.
Baciro Dabo was a close ally of former President Vieira (above) "The council of ministers regrets the tragic events that ended in the death of two political figures from whom much more was expected," it said.
Earlier, state intelligence services said several other politicians - all members of the ruling PAIGC party -had been detained.
"This was about nipping a coup attempt in the bud," they said.
"Among the authors of this coup some came quietly while others tried to resist - that is why they were killed.
"We have material proof that this coup attempt was aimed at physically eliminating the head of the armed forces, overthrowing the interim head of state and dissolving the national assembly.""We have material proof that this coup attempt was aimed at physically eliminating the head of the armed forces, overthrowing the interim head of state and dissolving the national assembly."
Journalist Jean Gomis told the BBC's Network Africa programme that Mr Dabo, the minister of territorial administration, was a close ally of former President Vieira. Journalist Jean Gomis told the BBC's Network Africa programme that Mr Dabo, the minister of territorial administration, had been a close ally of former President Vieira.
He says that high-ranking members of the military may have feared that Mr Dabo could prosecute those responsible for killing the president if he won the elections. He said that high-ranking members of the military might have feared that Mr Dabo could prosecute those responsible for killing the president if he won the election.
Mr Dabo, 50, was a senior member of the PAIGC but was contesting the election as an independent.Mr Dabo, 50, was a senior member of the PAIGC but was contesting the election as an independent.
He was one of 13 presidential candidates.He was one of 13 presidential candidates.
Mr Vieira was hacked to death with machetes on 2 March by soldiers who blamed him for a bomb which had killed the army chief of staff hours earlier.Mr Vieira was hacked to death with machetes on 2 March by soldiers who blamed him for a bomb which had killed the army chief of staff hours earlier.
No-one has been prosecuted over the killing.No-one has been prosecuted over the killing.