Ex-Peruviian president arrested in Chile (AP) Updated: 2005-11-07 20:48
Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori was arrested
early Monday, hours after he defied an international arrest warrant and flew
from Japan to Chile, police said.
![](xin_521102071946867244957.jpg) In this photo released by Fujimori's press
service, Peru's fugitive former President Alberto Fujimori is seen waving
as he left Japan boarding a private jet to Chile on Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005,
saying he intends to return to Peru to again seek the presidency. Although
a warrant for the arrest of Fujimori has been issued to Interpol for some
time, the Chilean government said he cannot be arrested without an order
from a Chilean judge. [AP] | Shortly after Fujimori's presence in Chile was confirmed Sunday, the Peruvian
government asked Santiago to arrest him while a request for his extradition was
filed.
Police arrested the 67-year-old at his hotel early Monday.
Local media said lawyers for the former Peruvian leader were already
appealing the arrest, which had been requested by the Peruvian government as a
first step to seek his extradition.
Fujimori, who fled Peru in 2000 amid a growing scandal affecting his
decade-long regime, faces 21 charges in Peru stemming from alleged corruption
and his alleged support of a paramilitary death squad.
He resigned the presidency in a fax sent from Tokyo.
Fujimori arrived in Chile with four people. One of them, Luis Silva, said
before the arrest that the former president was planning to hold a news
conference here to explain his plans.
Silva gave reporters a brief communique on behalf of
Fujimori that said: "It is my purpose to remain temporarily in Chile, as part of
the process for my return to Peru" to run for president in the election set for
April, 2006.
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