This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6292778.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Judge blocks Fujimori extradition Judge blocks Fujimori extradition
(about 4 hours later)
A Chilean judge has ruled that Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori should not be extradited to Peru.A Chilean judge has ruled that Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori should not be extradited to Peru.
Mr Fujimori has been accused of human rights violations and corruption by Peru's prosecutors.Mr Fujimori has been accused of human rights violations and corruption by Peru's prosecutors.
The judge's decision, which is open to appeal, means Mr Fujimori's case will now pass to Chile's Supreme Court, which will have the final say. Peru's government immediately said it would appeal against the judge's decision, which also has to be confirmed by Chile's Supreme Court.
Mr Fujimori, the son of Japanese emigres to Peru, denies all the charges against him. Mr Fujimori, the son of Japanese emigres to Peru, welcomed the decision. He denies all the charges against him.
President of Peru from 1990 to 2000, he was praised for reviving the country's collapsing economy and curbing political violence. But critics accuse him of crushing Peru's democratic institutions and committing human rights abuses. "My family and I take this resolution with joy, but at the same time with caution," he said.
Senate bid 'Mutual interest'
In 2000 he became engulfed in a bribery scandal and fled to Japan, where he had been praised for his handling of a 1996-97 Japanese embassy hostage crisis. President of Peru from 1990 to 2000, Mr Fujimori was praised for reviving the country's collapsing economy and curbing political violence.
But critics accuse him of crushing Peru's democratic institutions and committing human rights abuses.
There has been a very regrettable administrative mistake Alfredo EtcheverryLawyer for Peru's government
A lawyer for Peru's government, Alfredo Etcheverry, expressed surprise at the decision.
"I do... think there has been a very regrettable administrative mistake, because it has manifested itself in a case this important and that had so much publicity," he said.
But Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said the ruling would not affect relations with Peru as the two countries were united "by an agenda of co-operation and mutual interest".
In 2000 Mr Fujimori became engulfed in a bribery scandal and fled to Japan, where he had been praised for his handling of a 1996-97 Japanese embassy hostage crisis.
Japan repeatedly refused efforts by the Peruvian government to extradite him on charges that included directing death squads, illegal phone tapping and corruption.Japan repeatedly refused efforts by the Peruvian government to extradite him on charges that included directing death squads, illegal phone tapping and corruption.
But in November 2005 he returned to Chile, hoping to launch a new bid for the Peruvian presidency in 2006 elections, only to be arrested on the request of the Peruvian authorities.But in November 2005 he returned to Chile, hoping to launch a new bid for the Peruvian presidency in 2006 elections, only to be arrested on the request of the Peruvian authorities.
He recently announced his intention to run in this month's Japanese Senate elections, a move his critics said was a ploy to avoid extradition from Chile.He recently announced his intention to run in this month's Japanese Senate elections, a move his critics said was a ploy to avoid extradition from Chile.


Are you in Chile or Peru? What is your reaction to the ruling? Do you think Mr Fujimori should face extradition? Send us your comments.Are you in Chile or Peru? What is your reaction to the ruling? Do you think Mr Fujimori should face extradition? Send us your comments.
Name:
Name: