Judge blocks Fujimori extradition

by BBC (reposted)

Thu, Jul 12, 2007 8:20AM

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 : A Chilean judge rules that Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori should not be extradited to Peru.

Mr Fujimori has been accused of human rights violations and corruption by Peru's prosecutors.

Peru's government immediately said it would appeal against the judge's decision, which also has to be confirmed by Chile's Supreme Court.

Mr Fujimori, the son of Japanese emigres to Peru, welcomed the decision. He denies all the charges against him.

"My family and I take this resolution with joy, but at the same time with caution," he said.

'Mutual interest'

President of Peru from 1990 to 2000, Mr Fujimori was praised for reviving the country's collapsing economy and curbing political violence.

But critics accuse him of crushing Peru's democratic institutions and committing human rights abuses.

Read More

For more information: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/...

§Fujimori not to be extradited

by Al Jazeera (reposted)

Thu, Jul 12, 2007 8:21AM

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 : Chile judge rejects Peru's requests to extradite the former Peruvian president.

Fujimori, who has been in Chile since 2005, remains under house in Santiago [AP]

A Chilean judge has ruled that Alberto Fujimori, a former Peruvian president, should not be extradited to Peru to face human rights and corruption charges. Cristian Fuenzalida, a court spokesman, on Wednesday said: "Judge Orlando Alvarez ... rejected the extradition request presented by the Peruvian government against Alberto Fujimori."

The judge's ruling now passes to the supreme court, which has the final say on whether Fujimori, who ruled Peru from 1990-2000, is sent to Lima. In the meantime, the verdict is open to appeal by Peruvian state prosecutors.

Fujimori has been in Chile since 2005 and is under house arrest in the capital Santiago.

Peru accuses him of embezzling millions of dollars and of human rights abuses including involvement in two massacres during Peru's battle with the Shining Path Maoist rebel group.

He denies all the charges against him.

Japan bid

The 68-year-old fled to Japan - the country of his parents' birth - after his government collapsed in 2000 in the wake of a huge corruption scandal. He lived there for five years.

He recently announced he intended to run in this month's Japanese senate elections, a move dismissed by his critics as a ploy to avoid extradition from Chile.

Add Your Comments

Support Independent Media

We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!