LIMA, Peru (AP) - Former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori suffered a stroke on Friday and was hospitalized in stable condition with some loss of control of his left upper arm, his doctor said.
Neurologist, Dr. Juan Barreto, told The Associated Press that Fujimori was conscious and speaking and being treated to ensure his loss of motor skills does not become permanent.
The stroke occurred early Friday at the police compound where the 75-year-old Fujimori is serving a 25-year sentence for authorizing death squads during his 1990—2000 presidency,
The former president’s lawyer, William Castillo, told the AP that Fujimori would be released from the hospital on Saturday.
Barreto said the strike could be related to stress and high blood pressure.
Fujimori is currently in the midst of his fifth criminal trial, this one for allegedly diverting millions in public funds to tabloids that were used to attack his political opponents and back his 1998 and 2000 re-election bids. At some of the court hearings, he has appeared disheveled and disoriented.
Fujimori fled in disgrace and faxed in his resignation 2000 after videotapes emerged of his spy chief, Vladimiro Montesinos, bribing prominent politicians and businessmen.
In a failed attempt to mount a political comeback, Fujimori tried to return from exile in Japan but was arrested in Chile and has been jailed in his homeland since 2007.
A medical team determined last year that Fujimori suffers from depression, hypertension, chronic gastritis and lumbago, among other maladies.
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