Interpol put disgraced former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori on its most-wanted list Wednesday in Paris, issuing a "Red Notice" calling for the exiled leader's arrest and extradition on murder and kidnapping charges in Peru.
The move by the international police agency does not carry the force of an arrest warrant. But it could put further pressure on Japan, where Fujimori fled to escape a corruption scandal in 2000 and is protected from extradition by Japanese citizenship.
In Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said Thursday that Japan would not hand Fujimori over to Interpol. "We will deal with the matter in accordance with Japan's domestic laws," Fukuda told a news conference, noting the country has no legal obligation to heed Interpol's request.