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Peru court rules Fujimori guilty Fujimori is sentenced to 25 years
(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 sentenced to 25 years in jail for ordering killings and kidnappings by security forces.
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 guilty of two death squad killings of 25 people during the conflict with guerrillas in the 1990s.
Mr Fujimori, who denied the charges, could face up to 30 years in prison.
Human rights group Amnesty International described the verdict as "a milestone in the fight for justice".Human rights group Amnesty International described the verdict as "a milestone in the fight for justice".
Javier Zuniga, the organisation's observer at the trial, said: "Justice has been done in Peru. This is an historic day. Spokesman Javier Zuniga said: "Justice has been done in Peru.
"It is not every day when a former head of state is convicted for human rights violations such as torture, kidnapping and enforced disappearances. We hope that it is just the first of many trials in both Latin America and throughout the world." "This is an historic day. It is not every day when a former head of state is convicted for human rights violations such as torture, kidnapping and enforced disappearances. We hope that it is just the first of many trials in both Latin America and throughout the world."
Abuse of powerAbuse of power
Mr Fujimori is already serving a six-year term after being found guilty in 2007 on separate charges of abuse of power.Mr Fujimori 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 had been tried and found guilty 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.
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.
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
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.
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. However, correspondents say Mr Fujimori is 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.
Are you in Peru? Send us your reaction to the verdict using the form below:Are you in Peru? Send us your reaction to the verdict using the form below:
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