Peru’s Congress Ends Immunity for Former President Fujimori

The Peruvian Congress has lifted the immunity of former President Alberto Fujimori, clearing the way for embezzlement charges and putting more pressure on Japan to extradite him.

In a special session, Congress voted 65 to 0 on Tuesday to lift the constitutional immunity covering Fujimori and three former Cabinet ministers. The move allows prosecutors to file charges of embezzlement and criminal activity against them. The 55 other members of Congress either did not attend the session or abstained from voting.

Fujimori, 63, allegedly signed a secret decree in September 2000 to divert $15 million in defense funds for an illegal payoff to former spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos, the ex-president’s top aide.

Fujimori is in self-imposed exile in his parents’ native Japan, which has refused to extradite him on charges of dereliction of duty. Fujimori and the three former officials deny any wrongdoing.

The vote came as Atty. Gen. Nelly Calderon announced that she had asked the legislature to approve further charges of embezzlement as well as illicit enrichment against Fujimori and 10 former officials.