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Peru court rules Fujimori guilty Peru court rules Fujimori guilty
(40 minutes later)
Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has been found guilty of ordering death-squad killings and kidnappings in the 1990s.Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori has been found guilty of ordering death-squad killings and kidnappings in the 1990s.
At the end of a 15-month trial, a panel of judges found him responsible for two mass killings, in which 25 people died, during a conflict with guerrillas.At the end of a 15-month trial, a panel of judges found him responsible for two mass killings, in which 25 people died, during a conflict with guerrillas.
Mr Fujimori, who denied the charges, could face up to 30 years in prison.Mr Fujimori, who denied the charges, could face up to 30 years in prison.
He is already 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, which took place at a special-forces police base on the outskirts of the capital, Lima, was the first time a democratically elected Latin American leader has been tried in his own country for human rights abuses. The trial, which took place at a special-forces police base on the outskirts of the capital, Lima, was the first time a democratically elected Latin American leader had been tried and found guilty in his own country for human rights abuses.
Outside the base, anti-Fujimori activists clashed with his supporters, attacking each other with sticks, fists and stones before being separated by riot police.Outside the base, anti-Fujimori activists clashed with his supporters, attacking each other with sticks, fists and stones before being separated by riot police.
'Charges proved''Charges proved'
In reading the court's ruling, Chief Judge Cesar San Martin said the charges were proven beyond all reasonable doubt.In reading the court's ruling, Chief Judge Cesar San Martin said the charges were proven beyond all reasonable doubt.
Correspondents say Mr Fujimori apparently anticipated a guilty verdict. He sat alone taking notes as the verdict was read out.Correspondents say Mr Fujimori apparently anticipated a guilty verdict. He sat alone taking notes as the verdict was read out.
As the televised "mega trial" neared its end last Friday, the former leader told the court that the charges against him were exaggerated and motivated by revenge.As the televised "mega trial" neared its end last Friday, the former leader told the court that the charges against him were exaggerated and 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.
The trial heard from about 80 witnesses in more than 150 court sessions.The trial heard from about 80 witnesses in more than 150 court sessions.
The prosecution 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 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 was also found guilty of ordering the brief abduction of a journalist and a businessman.Mr Fujimori was also found guilty 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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