CHILE: Group of Peruvians protest in front of courthouse demanding the rapid extradition of ex-Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori.

A group of Peruvians protested in front of a courthouse in Santiago on Wednesday (August 16, 2006), demanding the rapid extradition of ex-Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori. 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 morning. Gisela Ortiz, leader of a group of relatives of the victim's from the Cantuta massacre, stately clearly the group's intent to bring Fujimori to justice. "We continue insisting and we continue remembering that this an issue of human rights, an issue of justice, and that we want Chile to give us back the right that we have as relatives to put to trial one of the principal killers of our loved ones," Ortiz said. 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. The group of demonstrators gathered from early on in the morning, singing, chanting and carrying signs. Amongst the group was the folk band Dicicuris. The group called for cooperation between Chile and Peru in the extradition of Fujimori. "We are familiar with victims of acts of genocide by governments. In this sense, Chilean brothers, we hope that we can come together and raise one voice to fight for justice. No to impunity. Yes to the extradition of Fujimori," one of the band members said. 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, attempting to raise consciousness and gather support for the speedy extradition of Fujimori. Among the demonstrations planned by the group is a Saturday (August 19) afternoon protest in the exclusive neighbourhood where Fujimori resides. 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. Before celebrating with his birthday with his son Kenji at the end of July, Fujimori wished luck to the Peru's newly elected president Alan Garcia. Garcia's unlikely victory marks the beginning of his second term as president. He preceded Fujimori with a term from 1985 to 1990 that left the country in a severe economic crisis.

ITN Source | August 17, 2006

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