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MARCH 2, 2001

Japan's Justice Minister Masahiko Komura on Friday said the country will not extradite self-exiled former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori back to his homeland to face charges of criminal abuses of power.

Fujimori, whose parents were born in Japan and who now has Japanese citizenship, left his country amid political scandal and pressure. He resigned from his Presidency but Congress rejected it and instead ousted him.

Fujimori won re-election last year only after his top challenger dropped out of a runoff race due to widespread allegations of election fraud. In the first election, it took days before a final votes was tallied and more votes showed up than ballots cast.

Challenger Alejandro Toledo has filed again for the Presidency but faces a tough battle with Lourdes Flores. Polls show the two in a tight race. Toledo would be the first Indian in modern histry to lead Peru; Flores would be the first woman.

Elections will take place in May.

Get the Story:
Japan says it will not extradite Peru's Fujimori (AP 3/2)

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