The Facts

• Peru's former president Alberto Fujimori died Wednesday, September 11, at 86. He led the 1990s economic boom as president, defeating the Shining Path, a Maoist guerilla that had destabilized the country, before corruption forced him out of government and led to his conviction for human rights violations.

• Despite heavy criticism for his autocratic rule in 2000, voters re-elected Fujimori to a third term. After temporarily shutting down Congress and the courts, Fujimori fled the country to avoid a corruption investigation.A pivotal moment of Fujimori's presidency was the 1996/97 hostage crisis when Marxist rebels from the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA) took 72 people hostage at the Japanese ambassador's home in Lima. Following a four-month stalemate, Fujimori sent in commandos to attack the building, saving most captives and killing all 14 insurgents.

• He took refuge in Japan and sent his resignation via fax, which made him infamous both in his home country and internationally. He stayed in Japan until 2005, when he traveled to Chile to prepare for a presidential campaign in Peru. He was, however, detained in Chile and returned to Peru by the authorities.Despite heavy criticism for his autocratic rule in 2000, voters re-elected Fujimori to a third term. After temporarily shutting down Congress and the courts, Fujimori fled the country to avoid a corruption investigation.