Fujimori vies for immunity in Chile

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Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, facing extradition to Peru on human rights and corruption charges, has unveiled his latest stay-out-of-jail card: He’s running for senate. In Japan.

``I want to use my experience as president during 10 years to work in favor of Japan in the world,’’ Fujimori told Japanese television in much-quoted comments in Santiago, Chile, where he is free on bail awaiting a decision in the extradition case.

If elected to the Japanese senate next month, Fujimori could claim diplomatic immunity, and theoretically be allowed to return to Japan, where he remains popular.

Fujimori’s exit from Chile would alleviate a big irritant for both Chilean and Peruvian authorities. Peruvian President Alan Garcia, in particular, is said to dread the prospect of having a major opposition leader jailed and tried on his watch. ‘El Chino’ as Fujimori is known, still has a near-fanatical following in Peru.

Human rights activists argue that Fujimori should face justice for alleged abuses committed in Peru during his turbulent decade as president, which ended in 2000.

Fujimori, a son of Japanese immigrants who holds Japanese citizenship, is likely to be ordered extradited to Peru in coming weeks, officials say. Months of appeals are expected to follow. Experts were skeptical that Fujimori’s novel bid for diplomatic immunity would head off extradition. But the flamboyant Fujimori has seldom been predictable.

Posted by Patrick J. McDonnell in Santiago