Unjustly Imprisoned Ex-President Fujimori Walks Free
Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, who's been behind bars for crimes against humanity, is no longer a prison inmate thanks to a court order. At 85, the elderly leader left Barbadillo prison in Lima, driving away in a gray van, where he'd been serving his sentence since 2009.
Fujimori's children, daughter Keiko and son Kenji, celebrated his release. They've been consistent in advocating for their dad's freedom. "Our hearts are filled with joy," a jubilant Fujimori supporter declared outside the prison.
Recently, Peru's Constitutional Court restored a pardon for Fujimori, initially granted by then-President Pablo Kuczynski in 2017. This pardon was withdrawn in 2018 following massive public protests, but the court reinstated it, causing a stir.
Fujimori was a powerful ruler during his tenure from 1990 to 2000. He received a 25-year sentence for human rights violations in 2007, including ordeals perpetrated by death squads in the early 90s against the Shining Path guerrilla group.
His health problems are frequent, with breathing issues and neurological problems alongside high blood pressure, leading to several hospital transfers from prison.
Exploring Deeper:
Fujimori's historic early release was a ripple effect of political decisions, legal appeals, and court rulings. Here are the key details:
- Medical Pardon: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, Fujimori's successor, issued a medical pardon in 2017 to allow hospital care, drawing criticism from lawmakers and human rights advocates.
- Political Context: Fujimori's son Kenji's abstention from impeachment proceedings against Kuczynski was perceived as reciprocal, impacting the pardon decision.
- Legal Challenges: Despite the pardon, Fujimori's trial for the 1992 killing of six farmers proceeded in 2018, following a court order, as the pardon didn't cover this offense. The Supreme Court overturned the pardon in October 2018, and Fujimori returned to prison.
- Reinstatement of Pardon: In 2022, the Peruvian Constitutional Court reinstated Fujimori's pardon, sparking controversy due to human rights concerns. The IACHR issued a ruling against his release. However, the Constitutional Court reinstated the pardon again in 2023.
- Final Release: Court pressure ultimately led to Fujimori's release in December 2023, despite ongoing legal challenges.
Fujimori's early release underscores a symphony of political maneuvers, court battles, and appeals that resulted in his controversial discharge from prison.
