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Peru trial sensation

LIMA, Peru — Six months into the murder trial of Alberto Fujimori, prosecutors have produced little hard evidence that the former Peruvian president approved of a death squad to eliminate rebel collaborators. But they're about to put a witness on the stand in a trial that is riveting the nation.

Vladimiro Montesinos, the de-facto head of Peru's intelligence service during Fujimori's decade in power, allegedly organized the Colina group, a squad of army killers who slaughtered 25 civilians during Peru's war against leftist rebels. Finally facing his former boss in court Today.

Fujimori, 69, faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of $33 million if found guilty. He has denied any knowledge of the squad's existence and says he never approved a dirty war against leftist rebels. Montesinos has denied being involved, blaming the army instead.

In other cases, Montesinos has said he was acting on Fujimori's orders, and once dared his former boss to return from self-imposed exile and face Peruvian justice, saying from jail that "a responsible and courageous leader should face up to what his subordinates have done, or what he permitted them to do."

Fujimori, for his part, says Montesinos betrayed his trust.

"If you have contact with Montesinos, you have the impression you are dealing with a sincere man with a kind face," Fujimori said some years ago from Japan, his ancestral homeland where he fled after his ouster. "But behind that kind face, we now know a diabolical person is hidden."

Montesinos has a powerful incentive to keep quiet. Already serving up to 20 years for crimes including corruption and running guns to Colombian rebels, he faces a 35-year sentence in a separate trial if convicted of organizing the death squad.

Their courtroom encounter, to be broadcast live on Peruvian television, is sure to be dramatic. It will be their first meeting since Fujimori fired Montesinos in September 2000 when a videotape surfaced showing the spymaster bribing a congressman for political support.

By CatGirl on Jun 30, 2008, 09:34 in Peru forum.

Peter (Moderator) (☼Travelguide writer) says on Jun 30, 2008, 10:27:

And I thought Peru was a quiet country :)

Poor but snappy

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CatGirl says on Jun 30, 2008, 11:20:

Apparently not! LOL

Love and Time: the only two things that cannot be bought, but only spent

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