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In Testimony, Former Spy Chief Says Peru's Fujimori Is Innocent
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Montesinos did not express any animosity toward Fujimori on Monday, as he had in the past. Dressed impeccably in a black suit accessorized by a bright blue necktie, matching pocket handkerchief and silver cuff links, the former spy chief praised his onetime boss for his role in defeating insurgents. He was careful, however, to couch his praise in the words of others, including Abimael Guzmán, founder and leader of the Shining Path, whom Montesinos said recognized Fujimori as a serious challenge.
A lawyer by trade, Montesinos also demonstrated his political and intellectual prowess, attacking the prosecutor, José Paláez, and trying to lecture the lead judge, César San Martín, on how to run the trial.
When asked his profession, Montesinos responded "inactive intelligence officer," and when peppered with questions from Paláez, he said he could not remember every detail, "even though I have a great memory."
He also tried to clear his sordid reputation, saying a court martial in the 1970s and the treason charge levied against him in the 1980s were bogus. He told the court that he would not answer any questions about his work at the National Intelligence Service, because intelligence officers, including former CIA director George Tenet, were bound by code never to reveal details of their work.
"The dominion Montesinos felt he had over the room was shocking. He acted like he was still in power, not someone serving a 20-year sentence on gunrunning," said Jo-Marie Burt, a Latin American studies professor at George Mason University, who was in Peru to observe the trial.
"This trial has been serious and transparent up until now. Montesinos tried to make a circus of it, but that did not happen," she added.
There are only four more witnesses in the Fujimori trial, including former Gen. Nicolás Hermoza Ríos, who is also in prison for embezzling more than $20 million.
Fujimori, Montesinos and Hermoza Ríos once formed a troika that attempted to rule the country by decree after the former president shuttered Congress and the judiciary in April 1992.
