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Fujimori trial under way in Peru | Fujimori trial under way in Peru |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The trial has begun of Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori who is facing murder and kidnap charges. | The trial has begun of Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori who is facing murder and kidnap charges. |
He could receive up to 30 years in prison if convicted of authorising two death squad massacres in the early 1990s in which 25 people were killed. | He could receive up to 30 years in prison if convicted of authorising two death squad massacres in the early 1990s in which 25 people were killed. |
Mr Fujimori, who defeated a Maoist rebellion during his 1990-2000 presidency, denies the charges. | Mr Fujimori, who defeated a Maoist rebellion during his 1990-2000 presidency, denies the charges. |
Since his extradition back to Peru from Chile in September, some opinion polls suggest support for him has grown. | Since his extradition back to Peru from Chile in September, some opinion polls suggest support for him has grown. |
Barbecue attack | |
Mr Fujimori's trial relates to two massacres carried out by a death squad known as La Colina, in which a total of 25 people died. | Mr Fujimori's trial relates to two massacres carried out by a death squad known as La Colina, in which a total of 25 people died. |
FUJIMORI CHARGES Sanctioned death squads: - 1991 Barrios Altos 15 killed - 1992 La Cantuta 10 killedOrdered kidnapping: 1992: Journalist Gustavo Gorriti, businessman Samuel Dyer seized, interrogated by army intelligence and releasedSeparate corruption trial: - embezzling $15m (£7m)- payoffs to congress members- illegal wiretapping | FUJIMORI CHARGES Sanctioned death squads: - 1991 Barrios Altos 15 killed - 1992 La Cantuta 10 killedOrdered kidnapping: 1992: Journalist Gustavo Gorriti, businessman Samuel Dyer seized, interrogated by army intelligence and releasedSeparate corruption trial: - embezzling $15m (£7m)- payoffs to congress members- illegal wiretapping |
In 1991, La Colina raided a barbecue in a poor suburb of Lima known as Barrios Altos and killed 15 people. | In 1991, La Colina raided a barbecue in a poor suburb of Lima known as Barrios Altos and killed 15 people. |
The following year, they kidnapped nine students and a professor from the grounds of their university. | The following year, they kidnapped nine students and a professor from the grounds of their university. |
They were taken away and summarily executed. Their remains were later found in an unmarked grave. | |
It is alleged the death squad was under the direct command of the Peruvian president. | It is alleged the death squad was under the direct command of the Peruvian president. |
Mr Fujimori is also charged with ordering the illegal detention and interrogation of a prominent journalist, Gustavo Gorriti, and businessman Samuel Dyer, also in 1992. | Mr Fujimori is also charged with ordering the illegal detention and interrogation of a prominent journalist, Gustavo Gorriti, and businessman Samuel Dyer, also in 1992. |
He denies all the charges. | He denies all the charges. |
Conflicting opinions | Conflicting opinions |
Some Peruvians feel it is unfair that Mr Fujimori is being treated as a criminal when he transformed the economy and did what it took - as they see it - to liberate the country from the terror of the Maoist guerrilla group, the Shining Path. | Some Peruvians feel it is unfair that Mr Fujimori is being treated as a criminal when he transformed the economy and did what it took - as they see it - to liberate the country from the terror of the Maoist guerrilla group, the Shining Path. |
Others say he used the state of emergency to justify his repressive and autocratic rule, and stole millions of dollars from the country. | Others say he used the state of emergency to justify his repressive and autocratic rule, and stole millions of dollars from the country. |
THE FUJIMORI ERA 1990: Wins a surprise victory at polls1992: Dissolves Peru's congress with military backing, assuming greater control1995: Restores congress and overwhelmingly wins a second term2000: Re-elected for a third term amid allegations of ballot rigging2000: Flees to Japan after Montesinos scandal breaks2001-4: Japan refuses repeated attempts to extradite Fujimori2005: Fujimori arrested on arrival in Chile on Peru's request2007: Extradited from Chile to Peru | THE FUJIMORI ERA 1990: Wins a surprise victory at polls1992: Dissolves Peru's congress with military backing, assuming greater control1995: Restores congress and overwhelmingly wins a second term2000: Re-elected for a third term amid allegations of ballot rigging2000: Flees to Japan after Montesinos scandal breaks2001-4: Japan refuses repeated attempts to extradite Fujimori2005: Fujimori arrested on arrival in Chile on Peru's request2007: Extradited from Chile to Peru |
Now all those conflicting opinions will be played out in court and aired on national television. | Now all those conflicting opinions will be played out in court and aired on national television. |
The trial will take place at a police base on the outskirts of Lima, where Mr Fujimori has been held since being extradited from Chile in September. | The trial will take place at a police base on the outskirts of Lima, where Mr Fujimori has been held since being extradited from Chile in September. |
It is believed the proceedings could last for several months at least. | It is believed the proceedings could last for several months at least. |
A media room for up to 170 journalists has been set up next door to the small courtroom, broadcasting proceedings via a live video feed. | A media room for up to 170 journalists has been set up next door to the small courtroom, broadcasting proceedings via a live video feed. |
The trial follows a long battle by the Peruvian authorities to have Mr Fujimori extradited from Chile. | The trial follows a long battle by the Peruvian authorities to have Mr Fujimori extradited from Chile. |
The BBC's Dan Collyns in Lima says the chances are if Mr Fujimori goes down he will take others with him. | The BBC's Dan Collyns in Lima says the chances are if Mr Fujimori goes down he will take others with him. |
Mr Fujimori is also due to stand trial at a later date for alleged corruption. | Mr Fujimori is also due to stand trial at a later date for alleged corruption. |