New prison planned for Montesinos

Montesinos is currently inside this notorious military jail

By Claire Marshall in Lima

The Peruvian Government has announced plans to build a new maximum security prison to house Vladimiro Montesinos.

The ex-spymaster, who was captured in Venezuela nearly two weeks ago, is currently on hunger strike in protest at his incarceration in a tough military jail.

Peruvian authorities have acknowledged that, as a civilian, Mr Montesinos should not remain for long in a military prison.

Ironically, Mr Montesinos designed his own incarceration - a prison for left-wing rebel leaders. They also want him moved, protesting that he is a common criminal who does not deserve to be held with them.

Notorious jail

Ex-President Alberto Fujimori's former right-hand man has spent a week locked up on his own in a concrete cell just 2.5 metres wide and three metres long.

The former spy chief is on hunger strike

Since being brought to this notorious naval prison in northern Lima, Mr Montesinos has been accepting only sugared water, and is thought to be surviving on a few packets of biscuits which he brought with him.

The man who is thought to have made more than $260m from illegal deals over the last 10 years, now only has a hole in the corner of his gloomy cell for a toilet, with a shower head above it for him to wash.

But, according to the President of the National Prisons Council, Dr Gino Santolalla, if Mr Montesinos was not kept isolated here, his life would be in danger.

He said there are a number of people who have been a part of his organisation who are "willing to ensure he is kept quiet".

Plans to construct an entirely new high security jail are now being drawn up.

Infamous neighbours

An equally infamous fellow inmate, Abimael Guzman, the former head of the Shining Path terrorist movement, could be moved there.

Shining Path leader Guzman could be moved with him

Mr Santolalla even expressed a hope that the jail would eventually house former President Alberto Fujimori - if Peru succeeds in extraditing him from Japan.

Mr Montesinos is facing more than 50 charges, ranging from drug-trafficking to murder.

As he awaits trial, the former lawyer is researching his rights. The only reading material available to him is his personal copy of the Peruvian constitution.