Peruvians Pay Respects To Ex-President Garcia Who Died From Self-Inflicted Wound - Reports

CARACAS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 20th April, 2019) Peruvians paid their last respects to former President Alan Garcia who died after injuring himself with a gunshot to avoid an arrest in a corruption case, local media reported.

Garcia shot himself in the head as the police arrived at his house to arrest him on Wednesday. He was rushed to the hospital but attempts to resuscitate him failed.

According to a state-run broadcaster, a coffin with Garcia's body was cremated at a cemetery in Lima after a private church ceremony which was attended by his relatives and supporters.

During the wake, Garcia's daughter reportedly read out her father's letter in which he denied corruption allegations.

On Thursday, mourners gave their final farewells to Garcia at the headquarters of his APRA party.

A corruption scandal involving Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht has rocked South America resulting in a dismissal of several high-ranking officials and probes into bribes allegedly received by authorities from the company in exchange for contracts.