Peru Formally Asks Chile to Extradite Fujimori

Peru has formally asked Chile to extradite former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori to face trial on human rights and corruption charges.

Peru's ambassador, Jose Antonio Meier, delivered the extradition request to Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker in Santiago Tuesday. The foreign ministry will pass the request on to a Supreme Court judge for a ruling.

The extradition request cites 12 counts against Mr. Fujimori, who claims the charges are politically motivated. Mr. Fujimori has been under arrest in the Chilean capital since he arrived in the country in November from Japan with plans to run in Peru's presidential election in April.

The cases compiled by Peru against Mr. Fujimori stem from his 10-year presidency from 1990 to 2000. Mr. Fujimori resigned from office in 2000 while in Japan in the wake of a corruption scandal involving his intelligence chief.