CHILE: At least 10 arrested in anti-Fujimori protest in Santiago

Dozens of Chilean and Peruvian protesters on Saturday (August 19) gathered outside the home where former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori is being held under house arrest in Santiago, Chile to demand his extradition to Lima where he is accused of corruption and human rights abuses. The group of demonstrators gathered in the upscale neighbourhood singing, chanting and carrying signs, but at least 10 were arrested in the unauthorized protest after scuffles with the police. "We have come here to the house where the assassin of our family members, Alberto Fujimori, is hiding here in Santiago to remind him of each of his crimes, to remind him of each of his victims, and to once again tell him that we don't forget family members. We call for justice, we demand a trial, and that this criminal be sanctioned," said Gisela Ortiz leader of a group of relatives of the victims from the Cantuta massacre. The Peruvian government asked Chilean authorities for the extradition of the ex-head of state in January, citing his involvement in 12 criminal cases including two slaughters by a paramilitary group known as Grupo Colina that left 25 people dead. Relatives of victims killed in the crimes allegedly orchestrated by Fujimori departed Lima in a group dubbed the 'caravan against impunity' and arrived in Santiago early Wednesday (August 16) morning. Cantuta refers to the name of Lima's La Cantuta University where a professor and nine students were gunned down by paramilitary members in April of 1993. After his surprising arrival in Chile last year, Fujimori was jailed for six months but has been free since May, living in a wealthy neighbourhood in Santiago. Fujimori has admitted that he was aware of the existence of the Grupo Colina, but sustains that he knew nothing about their activities. Supported by human rights groups within Peru and Amnesty International, the caravan of demonstrators plans to stay in Santiago until Tuesday (August 22), attempting to raise consciousness and gather support for the speedy extradition of Fujimori. Delays in the process prompted the Chilean Supreme Court to recommend early this month that officials accelerate Fujimori's extradition. Supreme Court judge Alberto Chaigneau asked Orlando Alvarez, the judge presiding over Fujimori's extradition, to take the necessary steps to finish complete a process that officials hoped to finish in July. The investigation by Judge Alvarez and his team has involved direct interviews with Fujimori and people surrounding the ex-Peruvian president. A spokesperson for the Chilean Supreme Court said that Judge Alvarez will not use documents sent from Japan filed during Peru's unsuccessful extradition campaign with Japan. In 2000, corruption scandals forced the 68 year-old Fujimori out Peru, putting an end to his ten-year rule. After living nearly five years in Japan, he moved to Chile in November of 2005.

ITN Source | August 20, 2006

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