A Peruvian court has found former President Alberto Fujimori guilty of human rights abuses.

Peru's former President Alberto Fujimori waves as he enters a courtroom in Lima, 07 Apr 2009The special court in Lima issued the verdict Tuesday after a 15-month trial that reviewed abuses committed under Mr. Fujimori's watch during the 1990s.

The 70-year-old could face up to 30 years in prison.

He was charged with authorizing two massacres that resulted in 25 deaths, and accused of involvement in the abductions of a prominent businessman and a journalist.

Mr. Fujimori maintains his innocence. He ruled Peru from 1990 to 2000, when he fled to Japan and resigned amid a corruption scandal.

He was arrested when he traveled to Chile in 2005 to stage a political comeback. Mr. Fujimori was swiftly extradited to Peru, where he has been in prison after being convicted of abuse of power.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.