E. Timor Prez in Induced Coma After Shooting

Condition 'extremely serious' after failed coup attempt
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 11, 2008 9:24 AM CST
E. Timor Prez in Induced Coma After Shooting
East Timorese soldiers patrol aboard a vehicle around the town in Dili, East Timor, Monday, Feb. 11, 2008. Rebel soldiers shot and seriously wounded East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta and opened fire on the prime minister Monday in a failed coup in the recently independent nation, officials said....   (Associated Press)

East Timor's president has been placed in an induced coma after being shot early today by rebel soldiers in an apparent coup attempt, reports the BBC. The move is a bid to help Jose Ramos-Horta recover from "extremely serious injuries"; he was airlifted to Australia for emergency treatment after the attack outside his home. East Timor's prime minister has declared a state of emergency.

Ramos-Horta was shot twice in the chest and once in the stomach. His condition is stable and doctors are hopeful for a full recovery. The European Union has condemned the attack and Australia has pledged to send scores of extra peacekeepers to East Timor. An Australian-led UN force has been stationed in the country since 2006. (More East Timor stories.)

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