Thursday October 11, 2012

Children of Peru's ailing Fujimori seek pardon

LIMA: The children of Peru's former dictator Alberto Fujimori, who is serving a 25-year sentence for human rights abuses, lodged a formal request Wednesday for a humanitarian pardon, citing his failing health.

"We have just finished presenting our petition for amnesty on behalf of our father on medical grounds," Fujimori's daughter Keiko told reporters.

She said the appeal filed with the justice ministry included a stack of medical reports documenting the five surgeries the ailing former strongman has undergone in recent years.

In August, the 74-year-old Fujimori had another procedure to remove recurring cancerous lesions from his tongue.

His condition was first made public in 1999. It is not terminal, but he has had to undergo regular procedures to keep it in check and also has at times dealt with complications that have caused his overall health to worsen.

Fujimori, who served as Peru's president from 1990 to 2000, was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison in connection with the killing of 25 activists by a Peruvian military death squad.

The killings were part of the government's fight against leftist Shining Path guerrillas. Fujimori also was convicted on corruption charges.

His four children planned to present a letter to Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, personally informing him of their decision to seek a pardon, according to his daughter Keiko. - AFP

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Thursday October 11, 2012

Children of Peru's ailing Fujimori seek pardon