'Forgive me,' ex-Peru leader Fujimori says after pardon protests

Well, he was an asesino, presiding over a government that committed mass extra-judicial murder.  In 2003, Peru's Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimated that 69,280 people were killed in those two decades. Although some dispute this figure, it is huge compared to the numbers killed in Argentina's 'dirty war' and under Pinochet's dictatorship in Chile.

This is why the protests are so huge. Add to that the corruption, with the $600m plundered from state coffers is also no small matter.

But whatever the back story on his release now, I agree that it is better to release him now and let him fade away on the outside, rather than risk him becoming a martyr to the Fujimori dynasty 'cause'. Maybe it'll drive a wedge between his children Keiko and Kenji, and that can only be good for Peru. Word is that actually Keiko would prefer Dad inside, because that would suit her political ambitions, while Kenji cut the deal with the President to spring Dad. The prospect of Keiko getting into power is appalling, and threatens to undo all the progress made since Dad legged it with suitcases stuffed with cash and Vladivideos to blackmail his enemies with, before faxing in his resignation from Brunei. Unfortunate for President PKK that the timing is so bad.