Peru's Ex-Prez Gets 25 Years in Death-Squad Trial

A special tribunal convicted former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori of murder and kidnapping today and sentenced him to 25 years in prison related to death-squad activities during his autocratic 10-year rule. The judge told a hushed courtroom there was no question the 70-year-old Fujimori authorized the creation of a military outfit that killed some 50 people in a struggle to crush a Maoist insurgency.

Lawyers said Fujimori plans to appeal. Outside the Lima police base where the trial was being held, pro- and anti-Fujimori activists fought each other with sticks, fists, and rocks after the verdict was announced, with chants of "Fujimori innocent!" and "Fujimori killer!" shouted by rival bands. Riot police broke up the melee and no injuries were immediately reported. (More Peru stories.)