Fujimori under house arrest in Chile pending extradition ruling
Former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori was placed under house arrest at his residence near the Chilean capital Santiago on Friday, ahead of a Supreme Court ruling on his extradition to Peru, the court said.

A Chilean Supreme Court judge ordered the detention on Friday in response to the Peruvian government's request to extradite the former leader, and to prevent him from fleeing.

"This measure is designed to stop (Fujimori) fleeing," the court said in a statement.

A Chilean state prosecutor on Thursday submitted a report to the Supreme Court recommending Fujimori's extradition, a sign showing that the country might agree to the extradition.

Supreme Court judge Orlando Alvarez will decide whether Fujimori should be sent to Peru or not within 25 days. However, his ruling can be appealed by the defense or the prosecution.

Fujimori said late on Thursday that he had no intention of fleeing Chile. "I'm leading a totally normal life, following instructions from my lawyers and friends," he told Chilean media. "I've never thought about escaping."

"I am tranquil, calm and taking the report with prudence and serenity," he said after receiving the house arrest orders.

Last month in a radio interview, Fujimori vowed to respect the Supreme Court's ruling on the extradition request.

The Chilean government said that it would respect the court ruling on Fujimori and, as it's an independent law case, the government would not interfere.

Peruvian President Alan Garcia on Friday also said he trusted Fujimori would get a "transparent and impartial" trial in Peru if he were extradited here.

"It won't be turned into a circus like other governments did with their opponents in the past," Garcia said.

Fujimori's daughter Keiko Fujimori, an elected member of Peru's congress, said on Thursday in Lima that her father would respect the Peruvian verdict on his charges. But she was afraid there would be "no guarantee my father will get a due process in Peru," citing an ongoing, seven-year investigation of two of his former aides.

Fujimori, 68, enjoyed great popularity as president in Peru in the 1990s, but had to seek exile in Japan in 2000 after his government collapsed due to a huge corruption scandal.

He was arrested in Chile in November 2005 when he arrived unexpectedly from Japan, apparently to try to launch a political comeback in Peru. He faces 10 charges for corruption and two for violating human rights.