 |
Peru Asks Interpol to Issue Arrest Warrant for Kin of Fujimori
Aritomi Shinto, former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's brother-in-law and former Peruvian ambassador to Japan, is in the sight of Peru's justice, when a judge in Lima asked the Interpol to issue an international arrest warrant against him, a judicial source said Tuesday.
According to judge Jorge Barreto, who is investigating corruption cases, Aritomi, currently living in Tokyo, was linked to the illegal payment of 15 million U.S. dollars last year to former presidential advisor Vladimiro Montesinos, who was captured on June 23 in Caracas, capital of Venezuela.
Fujimori's brother-in-law also faces charges for illicit enrichment, conspiracy to commit crimes and embezzlement, among other counts.
Unlike Fujimori's situation, Shinto can be extradited because he renounced his Japanese citizenship in 1990.
Japan, which does not allow the extradition of its citizens, recognized Fujimori's Japanese citizenship three months ago. The former Peruvian president was registered as a Japanese citizen by his parents at Japan's consulate in Peru.
The Japanese government has said it would not accept Peru's request to deport Fujimori, and Peruvian ambassador to Japan Luis Macchiavello was recalled on June 27 for consultations on the extradition of Fujimori, with no clear signs of his return to Tokyo.
Fujimori, who fled to Japan last November during a political crisis sparked by Vladimiro Montesinos, ex-chief of National Intelligence Service, is currently facing numerous charges, but he has denied involvement in any illicit activities.
Montesinos, who was arrested in Venezuela on June 23 and deported to Peru two days later, is awaiting formal indictment.
In This Section
|