Andina

Peru requests pre-trial detention for Tarache, seeks his extradition from Colombia

19:16 | Lima, Apr. 18.

The Government of Peru has requested Colombian authorities to hold Sergio Tarache, the man accused of burning Katherine Gomez alive, in pre-trial detention, in the context of an extradition procedure.

Venezuelan Sergio Tarache Parra burned Peru's Katherine Gomez alive in an area located close to Plaza Dos de Mayo (May 2nd Roundabout) in the Peruvian capital Lima. The 18-year-old woman, who was Tarache's ex-partner, died six days later after a painful agony.

In a recent statement, the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that, since his capture in Colombia, prosecution and diplomatic authorities have thoroughly explored all possible ways to bring the Venezuelan national to Peru in the most expeditious and safe manner possible.

As a result, the competent authorities believe that pre-trial detention for extradition purposes is the one that provides the most appropriate security and guarantees to ensure an effective administration of justice in this case.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that it will provide the support required by the judicial authorities so as to carry out the extradition of Sergio Tarache Parra as quickly as possible, to give him a fair trial in Peru. 

The government agency affirmed that the Embassy of Peru in Colombia has complied with the judicial mandate to present, before Colombian authorities, the request for pre-trial detention in order to extradite Tarache to Peru. 

Last week, the Ministry of Interior (Mininter) confirmed that he had been captured in Colombia.

The Venezuelan national was included in Mininter's Rewards Program, as it announced a reward worth S/50,000 (about US$13,283) to anyone who provided information on his whereabouts. He was captured on April 11 at about 7 p.m. in the town of Barrios Unidos, in the Colombian city of Bogota.

On March 18, Venezuelan citizen summoned the victim to a street near Plaza Dos de Mayo (May 2nd Roundabout) in Downtown Lima, where he threw gasoline at her and then set her on fire for having ended their relationship.

As a consequence, the young woman was left with burns on 60% of her body. She died six days later despite the efforts by doctors to save her life.

(END) LIT/RMB

Published: 4/18/2023