Nicolau dos Reis Lobato (24 May 1946 – 31 December 1978) was an East Timorese politician who is considered a national hero of the country.
He was the first Prime Minister of East Timor and vice president of Fretilin. In 1978, he was killed by the Indonesian Kopassus during the country's invasion of East Timor.
Biography
Lobato was born in Soibada, Portuguese Timor, on 24 May 1946.
Lobato was the first prime minister of the Democratic Republic of East Timor from 28 November to 7 December 1975. Upon the invasion by the Indonesian military, Lobato, along with other key Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor (Fretilin) leaders, fled into the Timorese hinterland to fight against the occupying forces. On 31 December 1978, Lobato was ambushed at Mount Mindelo and fatally shot in the stomach by the Kopassus, an Indonesian special forces unit then led by Lieutenant Prabowo Subianto (later president of Indonesia). His body was brought to Dili to be inspected by the Indonesian press. What then happened to his body is unknown; the East Timorese government continues to pursue the issue with the Indonesian government, so that his remains can be given a proper burial.
East Timor's main airport was renamed Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in his honour.