Peru: Montesinos guilty of selling arms to FARC

MISNA: Vladimiro Montesinos, spy chief and right-hand man of the former Peruvian president Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000), in turn wanted by Lima judicial authorities, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the sale of assault weapons to the Colombian guerrillas of the FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia).

The trial was held on the Callao Naval Base, east of Lima, where Montesinos is serving other terms.

With yesterday’s conviction, Montesinos has been sentenced on 12 counts since June 2001, when he was arrested while attempting to abandon the nation.

With him, another 35 people were sentenced to 15 years for their involvement in a business deal that foresaw the acquisition of weapons from Jordan (10,000 Akm rifles) and the sale to the FARC.

The lawyer of the so-called ‘Rasputin of the Andes’, Estela Valdivia, said he will appeal the verdict.