Tehran strongly condemns assassination of Japan’s Shinzo Abe
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani has strongly condemned a “terrorist act” that killed former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, hours after he was shot while campaigning in the city of Nara.
Kan’ani said in a statement on Friday that Iran is following the developments surrounding the “cowardly assassination” with concern.
“As a victim of terrorism that has lost prominent leaders [in attacks] by terrorists, Iran is following the news of Shinzo Abe’s assassination closely and with concern,” he said.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this terrorist act,” he added.
Earlier in the day, the Japanese government confirmed reports that Abe had been shot in the western region of Nara, where he was delivering a campaign speech ahead of Sunday’s election for Japan’s Upper House.
At the time of Kan’ani’s statement, Abe was in critical condition after being rushed to the hospital. State broadcaster NHK reported afterward that he succumbed to his injuries.
“Former Prime Minister Abe was shot at around 11:30 am (02:30 GMT) in Nara. One man, believed to be the shooter, has been taken into custody,” chief cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno told reporters after the shooting.
NHK identified the arrested 41-year-old suspect as Tetsuya Yamagami. According to the report, he told police that he was dissatisfied with Abe and wanted to kill him.
Amateur footage showed people rushing towards him as plumes of smoke filled the air behind him. It, however, did not capture the exact moment he was hit.
Abe served as Japan’s prime minister from December 2012 to September 2020, making him the country’s longest-serving prime minister before stepping down in 2020 over alleged ill health.
The 67-year-old has, however, remained a dominant presence over the ruling Liberal Democratic party (LDP) party, controlling one of its major factions.
His successor, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, faces an upper house election on Sunday in which he is projected to emerge from Abe's shadow and define his premiership.
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