Peru Confident in Chile Resisting Japanese Pressure over Fujimori
Peruvian Justice Minister Maria Zavala said on Tuesday that she was confident that Chile would resist pressure from the Japanese government to prevent the extradition of ex President Alberto Fujimori to Lima.

Zavala's statements came when asked by reporters on media reports that the Japanese government had interceded for the ex Peruvian president, accused of crimes against humankind and corruption, with Chilean authorities.

The minister called to avoid political interference in the extradition process against Fujimori in Chile, adding that there is respect for the jurisdiction of the courts in that country.

Zavala pointed out that the Peruvian people would be disappointed if Chilean judges yield to Japanese pressure.

For her part, Trade Minister Mercedes Araoz said that it would be indignant that Japan pressured to prevent Fujimori from being extradited to Peru, adding that she does not think Tokyo would condition the Free Trade Agreement with Santiago on not extraditing Fujimori.

The former Peruvian president arrived in Chile furtively in November 2005, after living for five years in Japan, to where he escaped in 2000. Tokyo refused to extradite Fujimori and recognized his Japanese citizenship to protect him.