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Fujimori trial under way in Peru Fujimori outburst as trial begins
(about 3 hours later)
The trial has begun of Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori who is facing murder and kidnap charges. The former president of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, has made a fiery outburst in court a few hours into the first day of his murder and kidnapping trial.
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 shouted angrily: "I reject the charges entirely. I'm innocent."
Mr Fujimori, who defeated a Maoist rebellion during his 1990-2000 presidency, denies the charges. The former president, who could receive up to 30 years in prison if convicted, was told by a judge to calm down.
Since his extradition back to Peru from Chile in September, some opinion polls suggest support for him has grown. He is accused of authorising two death squad massacres in the early 1990s in which 25 people were killed. He denies the charges.
After remaining silent and grim-faced for the first few hours of his trial, Mr Fujimori launched into a tirade against the accusations against him, when he was given leave to speak.
He shouted: "I declare myself innocent," and "I never ordered the death of anybody."
Apology
The outburst, which lasted some minutes, was uncharacteristic of a man usually regarded as cool-headed and calculating, the BBC's Dan Collyns reports form Lima.
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
Mr Fujimori said Peru was in a terrible state when he was president and under his governance it was dragged out of economic collapse and liberated from the terror of the Shining Path Maoist rebellion.
Mr Fujimori denied that he was responsible for human rights abuses and said on the contrary he was trying to protect the population.
"As a result of my government the human rights of 25 million Peruvians are respected," Mr Fujimori yelled.
"If there were exceptions, I condemn them, but I didn't not order them."
He was asked to lower his voice by the lead judge, but continued to speak at volume before finally sitting down and apologising for the disturbance.
Minutes later a recess was called and for the first time the former leader waved and smiled at his three children, Keiko, Sachi and Kenji, who were sitting in the front row of the audience.
His outburst may find sympathy with some Peruvians, who feel he has been unfairly treated, but others are just as resolute that he should be found guilty of human rights abuses and jailed for the rest of his life, our correspondent says.
Barbecue attackBarbecue 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 The former president's three children were present in the gallery
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.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.
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.
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 PeruTHE 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. The trial is taking place at a police base on the outskirts of Lima, where Mr Fujimori has been held since being extradited from Chile in September, and is being played out 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.
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. Our correspondent says the chances are that 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.