Suspect Officially Charged With Murder in Assassination of Shinzo Abe

Suspect Officially Charged , With Murder in Assassination , of Shinzo Abe.

On January 13, Tetsuya Yamagami was charged with murdering the former prime minister.

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On January 13, Tetsuya Yamagami was charged with murdering the former prime minister.

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Associated Press reports that the announcement means Yamagami will stand trial for allegedly shooting Abe with a homemade pistol in July.

Following an almost six-month mental evaluation, prosecutors said that Yamagami was fit to stand trial.

According to the Nara District Court, Yamagami was also charged with violating a gun control law.

Police have stated that Yamagami said he shot Abe because of the former prime minister's ties to the Unification Church.

Police have stated that Yamagami said he shot Abe because of the former prime minister's ties to the Unification Church.

According to Yamagami, he developed a grudge against the church because his mother had made massive donations to the organization which had bankrupted his family.

While Japanese law allows for capital punishment, experts say that Yamagami is likely to face life in prison if convicted.

We must take very seriously the heinous act of violence that resulted in the death of former Prime Minister Abe, Hirokazu Matsuno, Chief Cabinet Secretary, via Associated Press.

Associated Press reports that Abe's grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, helped the Unification Church take hold in Japan in the 1960s.

Associated Press reports that Abe's grandfather, former Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, helped the Unification Church take hold in Japan in the 1960s.

According to AP, the church is known for pressuring members to make large donations and is widely considered a cult in Japan.