Shinzo Abe, former Prime Minister of Japan, is in "critical condition" after having been shot multiple times.

After being shot at an election rally in Nara, Shinzo Abe, the former Japanese Prime Minister, was taken to hospital. According to NHK's latest information, the president is not in critical condition and has no vital signs. "Former Prime Minister Abe was killed in Nara. Hirokazu Matsuno, the Japanese chief of staff, said that a man believed to be the attacker was in custody.

This video was taken by NHK's reporter while he was covering the speech of former Prime Minster Abe. The man was taken into custody by two men who looked like SPs after hearing the gunshots two times. Click here for detailed articles | | https://t.co/cPJHsCMriX

It happened at around 4:30 AM in Spain. NHK news agency and Kyodo media agency reported that Abe was giving a speech at an event in advance of the legislative upper-house elections. A young woman said to NHK that Abe was giving a speech when a man appeared from behind. The first shot sounded almost like a toy. The second shot was more visible and he didn't fall, but there was a loud bang. She added that the second shot was visible because you could see both the blast and smoke.

Multiple media reports claimed that the former leader was attacked from behind with a shotgun. Chief of Staff Matsuno stated that no matter what the reason, such barbaric acts cannot be tolerated.

Abe, now 67, was Japan’s longest-serving prime Minister. He ruled the country for one year in 2006, before returning to power in 2012 and 2020. He was a conservative who advocated the revision of Japan’s pacifist constitution in order to recognize its military. He remained politically active even after he left power.