09 July,2021 07:53 AM IST | Port-au-Prince | Agencies
Members of the Haitian police and forensics look for evidence outside of the presidential residence on Wednesday. Pic/AFP
Four people suspected of assassinating Haiti's President Jovenel Moise have been killed in a shootout with the security forces, police said. Two others have been detained, while officers are still in combat with some remaining suspects in Haiti capital Port-au-Prince, the BBC reported citing officials.
"They will be killed or captured," police chief Leon Charles said. Moise, 53, was fatally shot and his wife was injured when attackers stormed their home early on Wednesday.
The unidentified gunmen entered the private residence in Port-au-Prince at 1 am local time (05:00 GMT). Moise was killed, but First Lady Martine Moise survived and has been flown to Florida where she is receiving treatment. She is reported to be in a stable but critical condition.
"Four mercenaries were killed (and) two were intercepted under our control," Charles said in a televised statement late on Wednesday. "Three policemen who had been taken hostage have been recovered."
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"We blocked (the suspects) en route as they left the scene of the crime," he added. "Since then, we have been battling with them."
Speaking after the killing, interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph called for calm and declared a nationwide state of emergency.
The state of emergency, or "state of siege", allows for the banning of gatherings and use of the military for police roles, along with other extensions of executive powers.
US President Joe Biden offered condolences to the people of Haiti for the "horrific assassination". UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, meanwhile, called it "an abhorrent act" and also appealed for calm.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned "in the strongest terms" the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise. The perpetrators of this crime must be brought to justice. The secretary-general extended his condolences to the people and government of Haiti and family of the late president, Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for Guterres, said.
2
No. of suspects who have been detained
