The Public Ministry (Prosecutor's Office) on Wednesday presented arguments on Wednesday in support of its request for a life sentence against Victor Polay Campos, former ringleader of the terrorist organization Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA), in the case known as "Las Gardenias."
"The Second Supra-Provincial Prosecutor's Office Specialized in Human Rights and Terrorism is presenting arguments at trial in support of its request for a life sentence for Víctor Polay, former ringleader of the MRTA, in the 'Las Gardenias' case, on charges of aggravated terrorism and aggravated murder," the institution reported.
According to the indictment filed by Deputy Provincial Prosecutor Ruben Anicama, MRTA leaders allegedly ordered the commission of crimes against LGBT community members in Peru's San Martin region between 1989 and 1992.
Among the acts under examination in the oral trial is the execution of eight people at the 'Las Gardenias' nightclub in the city of Tarapoto in May 1989.
The prosecution's theory of the case holds that the crimes were allegedly committed as part of a "social cleansing" plan approved by the terrorist organization.