Peru’s Constitutional Court Orders Humanitarian Release for Former President Alberto Fujimori
In a surprising turn of events, Peru’s Constitutional Court has ordered the immediate humanitarian release of former President Alberto Fujimori. The 85-year-old had been serving a 25-year sentence in connection with the death squad slayings of 25 Peruvians in the 1990s.
The court’s decision comes in favor of a 2017 pardon that had granted Fujimori release on humanitarian grounds, but was later annulled. In a resolution seen by The Associated Press, the court instructed the state prisons agency to release Fujimori “on the same day.”
Fujimori has been serving his sentence since 2007 and has been in and out of the hospital in recent years due to health complications. His family has been advocating for his release, arguing that his health has deteriorated significantly and that he should be allowed to spend his remaining days with his loved ones.
The controversial former president has been a polarizing figure in Peruvian politics, with supporters crediting him for defeating leftist guerrillas and reviving the economy, while critics accuse him of human rights abuses and corruption.
The decision to release Fujimori has sparked mixed reactions in Peru, with some celebrating the humane approach while others voice concerns about justice for the victims of his regime. It remains to be seen how the public, as well as the international community, will respond to the court’s decision.
Fujimori’s release comes at a time of political turmoil in Peru, as the country grapples with a deepening economic crisis and a widening corruption scandal involving top politicians and business leaders.
As the news of Fujimori’s release reverberates across the country, it will undoubtedly reignite debates about his legacy and the unresolved scars of his authoritarian rule.