Peru's former president Alan Garcia kills himself ahead of arrest

Former Peruvian President Alan García has died after shooting himself as police arrived at his home to arrest him over bribery allegations.

Alan García was rushed to hospital in the capital, Lima. His death was confirmed by current President Martín Vizcarra.

A crowd of supporters gathered outside the hospital building, and were held back by a line of police officers.

Alan García was accused of taking bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht - claims he denied.

Alan Garcia served as president from 1985 to 1990 and again from 2006 to 2011

The scandal embroiling Peru's presidents

• Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, in office 2016-2018, resigned over a vote-buying scandal and detained last week
• Ollanta Humala, in office 2011-2016, accused of taking bribes from Odebrecht to bankroll his election campaign, in pre-trial detention in Peru
• Alan García, in office 2006-2011, suspected of taking kickbacks from Odebrecht, sought asylum in Uruguay's Lima embassy but had his request denied
• Alejandro Toledo, in office 2001-2006, accused of taking millions of dollars in bribes from Odebrecht, currently a fugitive in the US