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LIMA, Peru (AP) — A five-judge Supreme Court panel has unanimously overturned the embezzlement conviction of imprisoned former President Alberto Fujimori in Peru, who was charged with diverting $40 million from the military buy coverage in sensationalist tabloids that maligned his political foes.
Tuesday's verdict cannot be appealed and outraged human rights activists. They say it flies in the face of evidence at the 2015 trial at which Fujimori was convicted and sentenced to eight years.
Fujimori nevertheless remains incarcerated, serving 25-year sentences for corruption and for death squads during his 1990-2000 presidency. He is due for release in 2032.
Fujimori spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos was convicted in 2005 in the same case and testified that Fujimori ordered up specific headlines in the tabloid campaign, which occurred during the 2000 election campaign.
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