Gutierrez, who was forced from office in April by Congress, remained calm as he was taken off the aircraft and led to another plane that took him to Quito, where he was transferred to the capital city's main prison. He had insisted before leaving Colombia that he was unjustly ousted and accused his successor, President Alfredo Palacio, of corruption and fabricating charges against him.

Hours before his arrival, police used tear gas to disperse about 500 of his supporters who tried to force their way into the airport, hurling rocks and shouting, "Gutierrez, friend, the people are with you!"

Gutierrez, 48, was the third president since 1997 to be forced from power.

The Japan Times Weekly: Oct. 22, 2005
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