LIMA, Peru (AP) — A dozen women have gathered outside the clinic in Peru's capital where Alberto Fujimori is hospitalized to protest the decision to grant the ex-president a pardon on humanitarian grounds.

President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski's decision to release the 79-year-old Fujimori from prison has sparked protests and led to charges it was part of a backroom deal struck to protect Kuczynski from impeachment on corruption charges.

The pardon Sunday came three days after abstentions by lawmakers from a party led by Fujimori's children caused the failure of a vote to impeach Kuczynski. Fujimori was serving a 25-year sentence for 25 killings during the war against Shining Path guerrillas.

At Friday's protest, the women shouted "Fujimori never again," while his supporters shouted "terrorists" at the women, reflecting the divisions over his 1990-2000 government.