Panel Urges Charges Against Fujimori

A Peruvian legislative panel said Congress should lift the immunity of former President Alberto Fujimori so that he can be charged with making a $15-million payoff to jailed ex-spy chief Vladimiro Montesinos.

Fujimori, living in exile in Japan, is accused of signing a secret decree to divert defense funds to Montesinos as an incentive to leave the government without a fight.

Congress’ permanent commission agreed to ask the full legislature to vote on lifting Fujimori’s constitutional immunity, which he holds as a former president, and charge him with embezzlement, falsification and conspiracy.