In 1996, Berenson was convicted of treason by a special military tribunal and given a life sentence. The Supreme Military Council overturned that sentence on Aug. 28, after a series of delays caused in part by then Peruvian President Alberto Fujimori's decision -- in violation of Peru's constitution -- to run for a third term and his subsequent repeated condemnation of Lori Berenson during the political campaign. Her case has now been remanded to Peru's "special" civilian terrorism courts established by Fujimori, now in self-imposed exile in Japan.

The U.S. State Department and international human rights organizations have condemned these courts for their lack of openness, fairness and due process. Meanwhile, the government of Peru has recently released video tapes that provide evidence of widespread government corruption and, according to critics, reveal that Lori Berenson's case was always a political, rather than a judicial matter.

With the present government of interim President Valentin Panagua struggling to re-establish democracy and human rights, the Berenson family says they remain hopeful that the truth will prevail and the courts will recognize their daughter's innocence. But they are concerned that a fair trial may be impossible due to the intensely hostile misinformation promoted by the previous administration, which formed the basis of negative media coverage.

Between The Lines' Denise Manzari spoke with Rhoda Berenson from Lima, Peru.

For more information about Lori Berenson's case, call (212) 870-3146 or visit her supporters' Web site at www.freelori.org