Arms-Smuggling Trial Begins for Ex-Spy Chief
Former Peruvian spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos went on trial on the most serious charges he has faced since his arrest nearly three years ago: smuggling guns to leftist rebels in neighboring Colombia.
He is accused of masterminding an operation in which 10,000 Kalashnikov rifles were procured from Jordan and parachuted to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia in 1999. Montesinos denies the charge.
Lawyers are seeking testimony by top CIA officials who they say could be linked to the operation. A spokesman would not comment on whether the agency would agree to the request.
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