Former Peruvian President Alan Garcia shoots himself before arrest

LIMA, April 17 (Xinhua) -- Former Peruvian President Alan Garcia shot himself in the head on Wednesday to avoid a preliminary arrest ordered by the justice authorities for his alleged links to the corruption scandal of Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, his lawyer confirmed to the local media.

Peru's Health Minister Zulema Tomas Gonzales said the Peruvian politician is hospitalized in an intensive care unit and his state of health is critical.

The attempted suicide occurred when police officers tried to apprehend him in his house, where he locked himself in a room and shot himself.