Spymaster's golden treasures going to auction

An Aladdin's cave of jewelry and trinkets belonging to Peru's jailed former intelligence chief could fetch more than $1 million when it is auctioned off next month, the government has said.

A diamond-encrusted gold watch, 76 pairs of gold cufflinks and assorted gem-laden rings and chains are among 152 pieces of jewelry belonging to disgraced spymaster Vladimiro Montesinos, who is serving 20 years in prison for crimes against humanity.

Peru's National Commission of Seized Goods (CONABI) said the items, bought by Montesinos using state funds, would go under the hammer on August 18 and 19.

Montesinos was one of the most powerful men in Peru during the corruption-tainted reign of former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000).

He is alleged to have siphoned off millions of dollars from state coffers while ruthlessly targeting Fujimori's opponents.

But, despite a fearsome reputation, his taste for flamboyant personal trappings was laid bare in the inventory of jewelry seized by the government.

CONABI said the prime item in the auction was a gold watch studded with 400 diamonds valued at around $161,000.

The haul also included 39 gold watches, 18 gold and diamond rings, and six gold and diamond necklaces.

Maria del Pilar Sosa, president of CONABI, said funds raised from the auction would be channelled towards Peru's anti-corruption and organized crime units, as well as the justice department and police.