Peruvian Constitutional Court President Javier Alva Orlandini said Sunday that former Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori could not become a candidate in 2006 presidential elections.

He said that the Congress ruled five years ago that Fujimori could not seek public office until 2010.

In addition, the Constitutional Court also said that Fujimori was disqualified to run for president.

Alva said that there would be no problem for Fujimori to return to Peru. But the former president has to face prosecution.

Fujimori said Thursday that he intended to go back to Peru and participate in the presidential election in April.

"I will go back as I enjoy a 30 percent support rate at home," Fujimori was quoted by Kyodo News as saying at a press conference.

Fujimori, 61, served as Peruvian president from 1990 to 2000. He has been living in exile since 2000 when he took refuge in Japan during an international meeting.

Deprived of presidency, Fujimori has been sought by Peruvian government for extradition on several charges including embezzlement of public funds, and dereliction of duty.

However, the Japanese government has refused to turn him over, citing the lack of bilateral extradition treaty and Fujimori's Japanese citizenship.

Born in Peru to Japanese immigrants, Fujimori holds Japanese citizenship and also has a Japanese passport.

(Xinhua News Agencies October 10, 2005)