Living in Peru : your everyday companion

(LIP-jl) -- Former Peruvian Alberto Fujimori, who yesterday learned that the Chilean Prosecutor's Office recommended his extradition to Peru on 10 counts of corruption charges and human rights violations, reiterated that he will respect the Chilean court's decision and will not flee the country if extradited.

"I am following the instructions and advice of my attorneys and friends and, believe it or not, I am living a completely normal life. I have never thought about fleeing the country. Do you really believe I crossed the entire Pacific Ocean (from Japan) to then escape from Chile?" Fujimori was quoted as stating in Chile's El Mercurio newspaper.

Yesterday afternoon, Chilean prosecutor Monica Maldonado officially delivered her recommendation to Chile's highest court.

Maldonado is in favor of extraditing the former Peruvian leader on charges that include wiretapping, corruption, money laundering, and homicide.

"I cannot make any predictions as to what the outcome will be. That is something I will leave to the Chilean judicial system. However, I do not feel the recommendation was a failure in the scope of the entire case," he said.

Instead the former leader considered yesterday's finding to be 'another transaction' in a long process. "I am calm and at peace," added Fujimori.

Though the prosecutor's recommendation is not binding, it is considered an important step in the right direction for the Peruvian government who requested his extradition when Fujimori surprisingly arrived in Chile in November of 2005.

Peru officially presented Chilean authorities with more than 20 charges to extradite Fujimori, however Maldonado only agreed to support 10 of the charges.

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