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Verdict due in Fujimori's trial Peru court rules Fujimori guilty
(about 3 hours later)
Judges at a special court in Peru are set to deliver their verdict shortly in the trial of former President Alberto Fujimori on human rights abuse charges. A special court in Lima has found Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori guilty of human rights abuses.
He is accused of responsibility for two death-squad massacres which killed 25 people in the early 1990s at the height of Peru's conflict with guerrillas. Mr Fujimori, who denied the charges, is awaiting sentencing, but could face up to 30 years in prison.
Mr Fujimori, who denies the charges, faces up to 30 years if convicted. He was convicted of responsibility for two death-squad massacres which killed 25 people in the early 1990s during Peru's conflict with guerrillas.
He is currently serving a six-year term after being found guilty in 2007 on separate charges of abuse of power. He is already serving a six-year term after being found guilty in 2007 on separate charges of abuse of power.
The trial, taking place at a special-forces police base on the outskirts of the capital, Lima, is the first time a democratically elected Latin American leader has been tried in his own country for human rights abuses.The trial, taking place at a special-forces police base on the outskirts of the capital, Lima, is the first time a democratically elected Latin American leader has been tried in his own country for human rights abuses.
As the 15-month televised "mega trial" neared its end, the former leader on Friday told the court that the charges against him were exaggerated and were motivated by revenge.As the 15-month televised "mega trial" neared its end, the former leader on Friday told the court that the charges against him were exaggerated and were motivated by revenge.
FUJIMORI CHARGES 1991 Barrios Altos killings: 15 dead1992 La Cantuta killings: 10 dead1992 illegal detention: journalist Gustavo Gorriti and businessman Samuel DyerSeparate trial on corruption and illegal wiretapping charges Head to head: Fujimori verdict Profile: Alberto Fujimori FUJIMORI CHARGES 1991 Barrios Altos killings: 15 dead1992 La Cantuta killings: 10 dead1992 illegal detention: journalist Gustavo Gorriti and businessman Samuel DyerSeparate trial on corruption and illegal wiretapping charges Head to head: Fujimori verdict Profile: Alberto Fujimori
There was no proof, he said, that he had overseen a death squad as part of a "dirty war" against suspected Maoist Shining Path guerrillas in the early 1990s.There was no proof, he said, that he had overseen a death squad as part of a "dirty war" against suspected Maoist Shining Path guerrillas in the early 1990s.
"I completely reject that I gave any orders in an allegedly parallel system to put into practice a dirty war to defeat terrorism," he said."I completely reject that I gave any orders in an allegedly parallel system to put into practice a dirty war to defeat terrorism," he said.
Accusing the authorities of double stands, he asked why leaders of other Peruvian governments under which killings allegedly occurred were not on trial. Accusing the authorities of double standards, he asked why leaders of other Peruvian governments under which killings allegedly occurred were not on trial.
His testimony followed that of more than 80 witnesses in more than 150 court sessions.His testimony followed that of more than 80 witnesses in more than 150 court sessions.
The prosecution has argued that Mr Fujimori authorised the counter-insurgency actions of a death squad known as La Colina that killed 25 people in 1991 and 1992.The prosecution has argued that Mr Fujimori authorised the counter-insurgency actions of a death squad known as La Colina that killed 25 people in 1991 and 1992.
Mr Fujimori is also accused of ordering the brief abduction of a journalist and a businessman.Mr Fujimori is also accused of ordering the brief abduction of a journalist and a businessman.
Some Peruvians remain vocal in their support for the former presidentSome Peruvians remain vocal in their support for the former president
Mr Fujimori's decade in power came to a dramatic end in November 2000 when he fled to his parents' native Japan in the wake of a bribery scandal involving his intelligence chief.Mr Fujimori's decade in power came to a dramatic end in November 2000 when he fled to his parents' native Japan in the wake of a bribery scandal involving his intelligence chief.
He spent five years in self-imposed exile in Japan before flying to Chile in 2005, where he was arrested. Two years later he was extradited to Peru to stand trial.He spent five years in self-imposed exile in Japan before flying to Chile in 2005, where he was arrested. Two years later he was extradited to Peru to stand trial.
Proceedings over the past 15 months have frequently been held up because of Mr Fujimori's poor health.Proceedings over the past 15 months have frequently been held up because of Mr Fujimori's poor health.
Tuesday's verdict may not be the end of the matter. Not only have both sides indicated they would appeal if the decision goes against them, Mr Fujimori is also still a political figure.Tuesday's verdict may not be the end of the matter. Not only have both sides indicated they would appeal if the decision goes against them, Mr Fujimori is also still a political figure.
He is popular among those Peruvians who credit him with saving the country from rebel insurgency and economic collapse. He also has 13 supporters in Peru's 120-member congress, among them his daughter Keiko.He is popular among those Peruvians who credit him with saving the country from rebel insurgency and economic collapse. He also has 13 supporters in Peru's 120-member congress, among them his daughter Keiko.
She has not formally announced her candidature for the 2011 elections. But the 33-year-old was the front-runner in a recent Lima-based opinion poll.She has not formally announced her candidature for the 2011 elections. But the 33-year-old was the front-runner in a recent Lima-based opinion poll.
She has said she would not hesitate to pardon her father if she became Peru's president.She has said she would not hesitate to pardon her father if she became Peru's president.
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