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Peru: Oral trial of former President Castillo for coup d'état continues

13:03 | Lima, Mar. 14.

The Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of the Judiciary on Friday continued the oral trial against former President Pedro Castillo Terrones, accused of the alleged crime of rebellion.

The hearing began without the presence of Castillo Terrones, who remains on medical leave after experiencing a health relapse at Barbadillo Prison in Lima's Ate district.

According to a medical report requested by the Prosecutor's Office, the former President's health is stable, though he suffers from acute gastritis. It was also reported that he ended his hunger strike, which began on March 10, and is now receiving a soft diet.


However, the then-General Staff Chief of the National Police (PNP), Vicente Alvarez, did attend the trial to testify and revealed what may have been the conversation between Castillo and then-General Commander Raul Alfaro.

Alvarez confirmed that the former top official allegedly ordered the dissolution of Congress and the arrest of then-Attorney General Patricia Benavides.

"Dissolve Congress and arrest the Attorney General? But what is the cause? Reinforce security at his home, at Minister Betssy Chavez’s home, and at Mr. Anibal Torres’s home. That is what he kept repeating (Pedro Castillo)," Alvarez declared.

Afterwards, he clarified that Alfaro informed Castillo that he was on medical leave, and the one replacing him at the time was PNP Lieutenant General Vicente Alvarez.

After the communication between Alfaro and Castillo ended, Alvarez was informed of the presidential orders.

His response was: "We will not comply; we stand by the Constitution. At that moment, I told him I was heading to the Joint Command."

The Other Accused

As co-authors of the crime of rebellion, the case also includes former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez Chino, Anibal Torres Vasquez, former Interior Minister Willy Huerta Olivas, as well as former Peruvian National Police (PNP) officers Manuel Lozada Morales, Justo Venero Mellado, and Eder Antonio Infanzon Gomez (the latter currently in Switzerland).

As previously stated, the Public Ministry (Prosecutor's Office) has requested a 34-year prison sentence for Castillo Terrones, along with a civil reparation payment of S/65,419,038.53 (US$17.78 million) in favor of the Peruvian State.

For the other defendants, the Prosecutor's Office is seeking 25 and 15 years in prison, as well as a joint civil reparation payment of S/64,419,038 (US$17.51 million) to be paid by those convicted.

During the investigation phase, a total of 65 documentary pieces of evidence and testimonies from over 69 witnesses were admitted, in addition to forensic, handwriting, and other expert analyses.

Additionally, three expert witnesses admitted by both the prosecution and defense will participate, along with 16 pieces of conventional evidence and a total of 75 evidentiary documents from all parties involved.

The Special Criminal Chamber has scheduled trial sessions three times per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays), initially in person at Barbadillo Prison, located in Lima's eastern Ate Vitarte district.

The case against Castillo Terrones stems from his attempt to breach constitutional order on December 7, 2022, when he ordered the dissolution of Congress and the reorganization of the Judiciary, the Public Ministry, and other institutions.

(END) CVC/JMP/MVB

Published: 3/14/2025