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Peruvians protest against Chilean judge's refusal to extradite
former Peruvian president |
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09:58, July 12, 2007 |
At least 200 people on Wednesday gathered outside the Chilean embassy in Lima in protest at a Chilean judge's refusal to extradite former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori.
Brandishing banners, the protestors shouted "murderer," "criminal" and "thief" in reference to Fujimori. They also called on the Peruvian government to continue its fight for Fujimori to pay the price for what they called "two-terms of crime."
The embassy was guarded by extra police to prevent any serious incidents.
On Wednesday morning, Chilean judge Orlando Alvarez rejected the extradition request presented by the Peruvian government, saying Peruvian prosecutors had failed to demonstrate beyond reasonable doubt Fujimori's involvement in death squads and corruption.
The Peruvian government accused Fujimori of committing bribery, misusing government funds and sanctioning 25 death squad killings during his 1990-2000 rule.
The verdict is open to appeal by Peruvian state prosecutors, and Peruvian Justice Minister Maria Zavala has vowed to appeal to Chile's Supreme Court, which has the final say on the case.
Fujimori, 68, fled to Japan in 2000 after his government collapsed amid corruption scandals. The son of Japanese parents, he claimed Japanese citizenship on reaching the country, and the Japanese government has since ignored repeated extradition requests from Peru, where he faces 10 charges of corruption and two of human rights violations.
The former president arrived unexpectedly in Chile in November 2005 by a private flight from Japan. He is now being held under house arrest in the Chicureao neighborhood on the outskirts of Chile's capital Santiago.
Source: Xinhua
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