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

15:28 | Lima, Mar. 20.

The Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court continued on Thursday the oral trial against former President Pedro Castillo Terrones, former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez Chino, and other defendants accused of rebellion.

The session began with the presence of all defendants, including Castillo Terrones, after three consecutive hearings in which his absence was authorized for health reasons.

However, during the accreditation process, the former top official refused to identify himself.

Afterward, at the request of Pedro Castillo's defense, the court ordered a legal medical expert to evaluate the accused's health condition to determine his ability to attend the hearing.

Castillo left the courtroom, and the session was temporarily recessed.

After about 20 minutes, he returned to the hearing, which then continued as scheduled.

Castillo reappeared today after ending his hunger strike, following his transfer to Vitarte II Hospital and confinement to his cell under medical instructions due to his health condition.

The former Head of State participated in the hearing on March 11 but was absent from three consecutive sessions.

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: 3/20/2025