MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Fujimori plans to run for Peruvian presidency

Deposed Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori announced in Tokyo he plans to return to Peru and run for the presidency in 2006.

Mr. Fujimori who lives in Japan under self imposed exile since 2000 faces several indictments on charges of human rights abuse and corruption if he finally returns.

"I have the support of 30%. I'm going back" said Fujimori, although published public opinion polls indicate he has a 20% backing.

Peruvian Justice Minister Alejandro Tudela said Fujimori was challenging the rule of the law and Peru' sovereignty when bragging about returning because "he well knows he has been stripped by Congress of his rights to run for office until 2011".

Mr. Fujimori who ruled with an iron fist from 1990 to 2000 announced that in "six months" they would be able to see him on Peruvian television.

He made the announcement a day after Peru formally requested to have him trialled in Japan if Tokyo insists in denying his extradition arguing the former president is a Japanese citizen.

Peruvian courts have requested Fujimori's extradition to face atrocities charges in connection with massacres committed in Lima in 1991 and 1992 by the Colina government-sponsored paramilitary group. Japan, which has no extradition treaty with Peru, has so far refused every request.

Born in Peru to Japanese parents, Tokyo acknowledged his citizenship in 2000.

Earlier this year Peru's Constitutional Court reiterated that Congress banned Mr. Fujimori from holding public office until 2011.

Last September 17 Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo described Fujimori's announced intention of being a candidate for the April 2006 election, a "media bluff".

"It would be extraordinary if he returned, because he has many questions to answer. The courts are waiting for him" said Mr. Toledo.

"I don't see why he keeps hiding behind Japan's skirt". "It's a clownish act. But he won't return to Peru" remarked Mario Vargas Llosa, Peru's most famous living writer who lost to Mr. Fujimori in 1990's presidential election.^

"I hope he does return because he'll be immediately arrested for larceny and murder, and tried and punished as he deserves" emphasized Mr. Vargas Llosa who lives in Madrid.