Interpol puts out arrest warrant for Fujimori

Interpol has reissued an international arrest warrant for the former President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, who has been living in Japan since fleeing a corruption scandal that toppled his regime more than two years ago.

Mr Fujimori is wanted on charges of murder and causing grievous bodily harm, and in connection with forced disappearances. He denies the charges.

Interpol had suspended its original arrest warrant for Mr Fujimori on 27 February, giving Peruvian officials 14 days to provide evidence linking him to a paramilitary death squad and to show that the charges they wanted to lay against him were not politically motivated.

The Peruvian justice minister Fausto Alvarado said yesterday that officials had sent evidence to Interpol headquarters in France and the warrant had been reinstated.

Peru has repeatedly demanded the extradition of Mr Fujimori but the Japanese government refuses because it says he is a Japanese citizen.

Mr Fujimori was forced to flee Peru after the release of videotapes showing government ministers and generals taking bribes. He has been accused of sanctioning two massacres by death squads in the early 1990s and of diverting US$15m of defence funds.