Russia condemns Abe shooting as ‘terrorism’

Russia has described the assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe as a “monstrous crime” and an “act of terrorism.”

Everyone responsible for it should be held accountable, foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. She was writing before Abe's death was confirmed.

Meanwhile, President Vladimir Putin, in a Telegram, wrote that "the hand of a criminal cut short the life of an outstanding statesman who led the Japanese government for a long time and did a lot to develop good neighborly relations between our countries."

Putin added that Abe, whom he called only "Shinzo", was an "excellent person" and lamented the loss of his "personal and professional qualities."

Abe was shot in the Japanese city of Nara, on Friday, where he was delivering a speech ahead of a parliamentary election. His death was confirmed some hours later.

Police identified the gunman, who was apprehended at the scene, as a 41-year-old local resident.

The murder has sparked universal condemnation in Japan and in other nations.