Peru’s ex-president Alan García has died after deliberately shooting himself in the head when police tried to arrest him in connection with a multibillion-dollar Latin American corruption scandal.
Mr García was rushed to hospital in the capital, Lima. His death was confirmed by current President Martín Vizcarra.
Peru’s current president Martín Vizcarra confirming the new in a tweet said:
“I am saddened by the death of former president Alan García. I send my condolences to his family and loved ones”.
What happened at his home?
Officers had been sent to arrest him in connection with the allegations.
Interior Minister Carlos Morán told reporters that when police arrived, Mr García asked to make a phone call and went into a room and closed the door.
Minutes later, a shot rang out, Mr Morán said. Police forced the door open and found Mr García sitting on a chair with a bullet wound to his head.
Mr García underwent emergency surgery in the Casimiro Ulloa hospital in Lima.
Health Minister Zulema Tomás said Mr García had to be resuscitated three times after suffering cardiac arrests before finally succumbing to his injuries.
In a post on Twitter, Mr Vizcarra said he was “shocked” by the former president’s death and sent his condolences to his family.
What was Alan García accused of?
Investigators say he took bribes from Odebrecht during his second term in office, linked to a metro line building project in the capital.
Odebrecht has admitted paying almost $30m (£23m) in bribes in Peru since 2004.
But Mr García maintained he was the victim of political persecution, writing in a tweet on Tuesday that there was “no clue or evidence” against him.
In November last year he unsuccessfully applied for political asylum in Uruguay.
Mr García served as president from 1985 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2011.
