Lima: Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori, who already faces the prospect of spending the rest of his life in prison, went on trial again on Monday, charged with authorising wiretaps and bribes of politicians, journalists and businessmen.
Prosecutors charge Fujimori and his former spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos used state funds to secretly wiretap 28 politicians, journalists and businessmen, bribe 13 congressmen to join Fujimori's party and buy off a TV station and a newspaper editorial board for political propaganda.
The 71-year-old former president wore a crisp blue suit and golden tie, closing his eyes and appearing to sleep as chief prosecutor Jose Pelaez named many of the 153 witnesses he plans to call, including Montesinos and Fujimori's ex-wife.
Democratically elected in 1990, Fujimori ruled Peru with an increasingly iron fist until his corruption-riddled government collapsed in 2000 when a videotape surfaced showing
Montesinos bribing congressmen.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, September 28, 2009, 23:57