Fujimori arrives in Chile from Japan, aims to return to Peru

Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori arrived in Chile from Tokyo on Sunday to prepare for the 2006 presidential election in Peru, sources close to him told the press on Monday.

Fujimori, 67, born in Peru to Japanese immigrants, had stayed in Japan since fleeing a corruption scandal that toppled his 10-year administration in November 2000.

The Japanese government recognized his claim to Japanese citizenship after he arrived in Japan and issued him a Japanese passport. He was issued a Peruvian passport by the Peruvian Embassy in Tokyo in September.

Fujimori formally announced on Oct. 6 that he will run in the presidential election in April, even though it is believed he will face arrest once he returns home as the Peruvian judicial authorities have indicted him on more than 20 counts, including involvement in the military's killing of civilians and corruption.

Fujimori is believed to have judged he will not be arrested in Chile even as anti-Peru sentiment is growing there over territorial waters dispute, analysts said.

Despite repeated requests from Peru and an Interpol notice for Fujimori's arrest, Tokyo refused to hand him over, citing his Japanese citizenship and that the two countries have no extradition treaty.

Following the arrival in Peru, Fujimori was driven from Santiago's international airport to a hotel in the capital, Reuters reported, quoting local radio stations.

Fujimori is known among the Japanese public for his contribution to resolving a hostage crisis at the Japanese ambassador's official residence in Lima in 1996-1997.

Source: Agencies