Chile won't extradite Fujimori

SANTIAGO, Chile, July 11 (UPI) -- A Chilean judge has blocked the possible extradition of former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori back to Peru where he faces criminal charges.

Peru's government said Wednesday it would appeal the decision, El Comercio newspaper reported online.

Last month, Chilean authorities this month placed Fujimori under house arrest for a second time. Chile's Supreme Court was honoring a request by Peruvian officials, who noted the severity of the charges Fujimori faces at home.

The former Peruvian leader was arrested in Chile in 2006 while traveling to Peru from Japan, where he had been residing since fleeing Peru in 2000.