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Former Peru leader goes on trial Fujimori trial to start in Peru
(about 6 hours later)
The trial of the extradited former President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, is due to open. Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori is due to go on trial shortly to face murder and kidnap charges.
Mr Fujimori, who was in office from 1990 to 2000, faces charges of murder and kidnapping, which he denies. He could receive up to 30 years in prison if convicted of authorising two death squad massacres in the early 1990s in which 25 people were killed.
He faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted of authorising two death squad massacres in the early 1990s in which 25 people were killed. Mr Fujimori, who defeated a Maoist rebellion during his 1990-2000 presidency, denies the charges.
Since he was extradited back to Peru from Chile in September, polls suggest sympathy for him has grown. Since his extradition back to Peru from Chile in September, some opinion polls suggest support for him has grown.
Death squad killingsDeath squad killings
Mr Fujimori's first trial relates to two massacres carried out by a death squad known as La Colina, in which a total of 25 people died. Mr Fujimori's trial relates to two massacres carried out by a death squad known as La Colina, in which a total of 25 people died.
In 1991, La Colina raided a barbecue in a poor suburb of Lima and killed 15 people. The following year they kidnapped nine students and a professor from the grounds of their university and then executed them. FUJIMORI CHARGES Sanctioned death squads: - 1991 Barrios Altos 15 killed - 1992 La Cantuta 10 killedOrdered kidnapping: 1992: Journalist Gustavo Gorriti, businessman Samuel Dyer seized, interrogated by army intelligence and releasedSeparate corruption trial: - embezzling $15m (£7m)- payoffs to congress members- illegal wiretapping
In 1991, La Colina raided a barbecue in a poor suburb of Lima known as Barrios Altos and killed 15 people.
The following year, they kidnapped nine students and a professor from the grounds of their university.
They were taken away and summarily executed. Their remains were later found in a clandestine grave.
It is alleged the death squad was under the direct command of the Peruvian president.It is alleged the death squad was under the direct command of the Peruvian president.
Mr Fujimori is also charged with the illegal detention and interrogation of a prominent journalist and businessman. Mr Fujimori is also charged with ordering the illegal detention and interrogation of a prominent journalist, Gustavo Gorriti, and businessman Samuel Dyer, also in 1992.
He denies all the charges.He denies all the charges.
Relatives of some victims held a vigil on the eve of the trial Conflicting opinions
Some Peruvians feel it is unfair that Mr Fujimori is being treated as a criminal when he transformed the economy and did what it took - as they see it - to liberate the country from the terror of the Maoist guerrilla group, the Shining Path.Some Peruvians feel it is unfair that Mr Fujimori is being treated as a criminal when he transformed the economy and did what it took - as they see it - to liberate the country from the terror of the Maoist guerrilla group, the Shining Path.
Others say he used the state of emergency to justify his repressive and autocratic rule, and stole millions of dollars from the country.Others say he used the state of emergency to justify his repressive and autocratic rule, and stole millions of dollars from the country.
THE FUJIMORI ERA 1990: Wins a surprise victory at polls1992: Dissolves Peru's congress with military backing, assuming greater control1995: Restores congress and overwhelmingly wins a second term2000: Re-elected for a third term amid allegations of ballot rigging2000: Flees to Japan after Montesinos scandal breaks2001-4: Japan refuses repeated attempts to extradite Fujimori2005: Fujimori arrested on arrival in Chile on Peru's request2007: Extradited from Chile to Peru
Now all those conflicting opinions will be played out in court and aired on national television.Now all those conflicting opinions will be played out in court and aired on national television.
And the chances are if Mr Fujimori goes down he will take others with him. The trial will take place at a police base on the outskirts of Lima, where Mr Fujimori has been held since being extradited from Chile in September.
It is believed the proceedings could last for several months at least.
A media room for up to 170 journalists has been set up next door to the small courtroom, broadcasting proceedings via a live video feed.
The trial follows a long battle by the Peruvian authorities to have Mr Fujimori extradited from Chile.
The BBC's Dan Collyns in Lima says the chances are if Mr Fujimori goes down he will take others with him.
Mr Fujimori is also due to stand trial at a later date for alleged corruption.