Those charges, which congressional authorities say were lodged first because they were the easiest to substantiate on short notice, carry a maximum prison sentence of two years each. Peruvian government sources say they have ordered translation of these charges into Japanese so they can be submitted to authorities in Tokyo within the next three weeks. The Japanese will be asked to serve Fujimori with the indictments. Fujimori has maintained that he will not return to face charges. But if he refuses to surrender here, an order for his arrest will be issued, followed by an extradition request that is being drafted and will be submitted to Japan via Peru's embassy in Tokyo, Justice Minister Diego Garcia Sayan said.
More serious charges are on the way.
They provide the most damaging evidence yet that Fujimori may have been aware of, and perhaps shared in, Montesinos's deals. Three of the decrees were related to the purchase of MiG and Sukhoi military aircraft from Belarus, a deal from which Montesinos may have received millions in kickbacks disguised by inflated prices, reports here say. Authorities now say they could use the documents to bring corruption charges against Fujimori as well. The documents, which are being studied as part of 10 government investigations into Fujimori, may also provide the impetus for other charges. But like everything surrounding Fujimori, the bid to bring him back is likely to turn into a drama.