Fujimori sentenced to 7.5-year imprisonment for embezzlement

Fujimori was convicted of illegally paying Vladimiro Montesinos, virtual chief of his National Intelligence Service, 15 million U.S. dollars in state funds.

In his defense, the 70-year-old Fujimori said the money was paid to avoid a coup d'etat plotted by Montesinos, his intelligence chief.

While announcing the verdict, Supreme Court judge Cesar San Martin said that the trial on Fujimori has no political implications and is based on Peru's Constitution and laws.

Fujimori said that he would appeal the sentence since its grounds were "invalid."

He, however, had acknowledged last week during the legal process the accusation of the illegal payment to Montesinos, but refused to accept any legal responsibility.

"I recognize only these deeds, I do not accept legal responsibility, punishment or the civil reparations," he said on that occasion, Kazinform refers tio Xinhuanet.