Peru: AG orders preliminary investigation against Merino, Flores-Araoz and Rodriguez

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11:29 | Lima, Nov. 16.

Attorney General Zoraida Avalos on Monday announced the launch of a preliminary investigation against former President Manuel Merino de Lama, resigning Prime Minister Antero Flores-Araoz, and Interior Minister Gaston Rodriguez for the death of the two young citizens, in addition to the disappearance of people during the public demonstrations held in recent days in Peru.

In a video message posted on the Public Ministry's social networks, Avalos specified that those subjects are accused of serious and minor injuries, as well as forced disappearance to the detriment of citizens —crimes committed in the context human rights violations.

"My office has decided to initiate a preliminary investigation against Manuel Merino de Lama, Antero Flores-Araoz, and Gaston Rodriguez for the alleged crimes of abuse of authority, as well as intentional homicide against Jordan Inti Sotelo Camargo and Jack Bryan Pintado Sanchez," she expressed.

In this sense, Avalos stated that the Public Ministry will make every effort "so that the serious facts are clarified and sanctioned in a timely manner."

The Attorney General said that —in recent days— her sector witnessed the unfortunate events, which plunged two Peruvian families into mourning and keep others in distress due to the lack of knowledge about the whereabouts of their relatives.

For this reason and the seriousness of the events, the Attorney General noted that the Provincial Prosecutor's Office Specialized in Human Rights launched a preliminary investigation to find out those who are responsible for the crime of intentional homicide against Jordan Inti Sotelo Camargo and Jack Bryan Pintado Sanchez "who, along with thousands of young people, came out to express themselves in various demonstrations nationwide."

"I can assure you that these deaths will not remain unpunished," Avalos stated.

Regarding the search for the disappeared citizens, the Public Ministry head assured that —without causing any detriment to the investigations— prosecutors from different levels will "form work teams to visit various police stations and headquarters in order to determine if any of the citizens listed as missing are in the status of detainees."

As is known, Manuel Merino stepped down as President of the Republic last Sunday. He had been sworn in to office on November 10 following the impeachment and removal of former President Martin Vizcarra from office.

The swearing-in of Merino and his former administration sparked off major protests nationwide.

Pronunciamiento de la fiscal de la Nación, Zoraida Ávalos Rivera
?? https://t.co/C8yobBBvrO pic.twitter.com/NoC5gumLAp
— Ministerio Público (@FiscaliaPeru) November 16, 2020

(END) JCC/CVC/MVB

Published: 11/16/2020

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Peru: AG orders preliminary investigation against Merino, Flores-Araoz and Rodriguez

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