Peru: Kuczynski Pardons Autocrat Fujimori on Health Grounds Amid Protests

LIMA, Peru - Peruvian leader Pedro Pablo Kuczynski has pardoned former strongman Alberto Fujimori, convicted of grave human rights abuses, on dubious health grounds in an act that has provoked harsh criticism and protests.

Fujimori had been in prison since 2005 and was in the midst of what was effectively a life sentence for violations of human rights (including kidnapping, torture and murder), embezzlement and the use of public money in order to discredit political opponents.

Fujimori, 79, a Lima native born to Japanese immigrant parents, served as President from 1990 to 2000 on behalf of the right-wing Change 90-New Majority party.

"The President of the Republic, using the powers afforded to him by the Constitution of Peru, has decided to grant a humanitarian pardon to Mr. Alberto Fujimori," read an official government statement to the media.

"A medical...