Priest says he expects former Peruvian president's trial to be fair

Published: 2007-12-13

LIMA, Peru (CNS) -- A priest who served on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission said he expects fair proceedings for former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori, on trial for human rights violations. Father Gaston Garatea, a member of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, said the trial, which marks the first time that a former president of Peru has faced charges stemming from his time in office, is "significant for the country" because it indicates "that we have justice, that we have the possibility of redoing things that were done badly." On the second day of his trial Dec. 12, Fujimori denied knowing of the existence of a military death squad in the 1990s. He is accused of giving orders to the squad in connection with the murders of 15 people at a party in 1991 and nine students and a university professor in 1992. He also is accused of ordering the detention of political opponents April 5, 1992, when he closed Congress and took control of the judiciary with the support of the military.

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