Lima - XINHUA
Peru's high-profile trial of Alberto Fujimori was suspended for the fourth time Thursday after the aging former president underwent a tongue surgery the day before. Fujimori, who was known for an "iron fist" policy during his 1990-2000 rule, was charged for buying favorable media coverage during that period. His lawyer, William Paco, said Fujimori suffers from a precancerous lesion in his tongue, while insisting that there's no attempt to interfere with the judicial proceedings. Fujimori was accused of spending up to 44 million U.S. dollars of government money to buy favorable media coverage and discredit opponents in a bid to stay in power. The former president is serving a 25-year sentence for his role in the 1991 Barrios Altos massacre, in which 15 people were killed by his Colina paramilitary force. He is also charged with the 1992 La Cantuta massacre, in which Colina forces allegedly burnt the bodies of 10 dissidents.