Thousands gather as Peru’s late leader lies in state

On September 13, 2024, 7:49 AM

Thousands of people in Peru have been paying their respects to the late President, Alberto Fujimori, who died at the age of 86 after serving prison time for corruption and human rights abuses.

Long queues formed outside the Culture Ministry in Lima where Fujimori’s body is lying in state.

Among the first to arrive was incumbent President Dina Boluarte who has declared three days of national mourning.

Critics say the government has gone too far by honouring a man who was convicted of serious crimes during the fight against Shining Path rebels in the 1990s.

Getty Images Supporters of the late Alberto Fujimori hold a framed image of the former president who is draped in a sash in the colours of Peru's national flag. To the right more people wave their hands in the air as they wait for Fujimori's hearse to pass the crowd — Supporters held up an image of Fujimori while they waited for his hearse to pass in Lima [Getty Images]

Getty Images The hearse carrying the body of former president Alberto Fujimori is flanked by security, police, reporters and camera crews as a convoy of black vehicles make their way towards his funeral service, — There was a heavy security presence as the hearse passed [Getty Images]

Getty Images An aerial shot shows Fujimori's coffin, draped in a Peruvian national flag, being taken out of the hearse — An aerial shot shows Fujimori’s coffin, draped in a Peruvian national flag, being taken out of the hearse [Getty Images]

Getty Images Several congressmen carry the coffin during the wake of former president Alberto Fujimori. His coffin is drapped with the national flag of Peru on the top of it and several members of his family walking pacing behind the coffin. Crowds and soldiers watch on from either side — Several congressmen carried the coffin of Fujimori [Getty Images]

Getty Images Keiko and Kenji Fujimori, children of late Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori, accept condolences from relatives during. Kenji, to the right, can be seen receiving a hug as he cries. Keiko to the left and centre of the image shakes the hand of a man who has his back to the camera — Keiko and Kenji Fujimori, children of the late president, accepted condolences from relatives [Getty Images]

Getty Images Thousands of people have gathered to queue to pay their respects to Fujimori whose body is lying in state outside the Culture Ministry — Thousands of people gathered to queue to pay their respects [Getty Images]

Getty Images A supporter of Alberto Fujimori wearing an orange headgear, sunglasses and a blue and white patterend jacket expresses his grief while holding an image of the former president. — Supporters expressed their grief [Getty Images]

Getty Images An indigenous woman wearing a colourful hat and clothing raises her index finger and shouts against the former president Fujimori. A Toyota vehicle is pictured in the background — But not everyone mourned. This woman shouted against Fujimori – a man who ruled Peru with an iron fist and then spent 16 years in prison for crimes against humanity [Getty Images]

Story By BBC