Fujimori, who ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000, was accused of paying out 15 million US dollars in government funds to Vladimiro Montesinos, the former head of the National Intelligence Service.

Montesinos had escaped to Panama in September 2000 after a political corruption scandal led to the downfall of Fujimori in November 2000. But Montesinos was arrested later and is now held in a high-security jail in El Callao, 14 km west of Lima.

Peru has demanded Fujimori be extradited to face charges of being connected with the killing of 25 people, including a child.

Fujimori, who has double Japanese-Peruvian nationality, has been living in Japan since November 2000. Japan has refused to extradite the former president, arguing that Japan's constitution prohibits the extradition of its citizens.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2003)