Andina

Peru's Int Min: Arrests, a hard blow to Shining Path's political wing 'Movadef'

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Interior of Peru

Photo: ANDINA/Ministry of Interior of Peru

12:24 | Lima, Dec. 2.

Peru's Interior Minister Ruben Vargas on Wednesday affirmed that the arrests made by the National Police of Peru this morning constitute a "hard blow" to the Movement for Amnesty and Fundamental Rights (Movadef), which he described as the political wing of the terrorist organization Shining Path.

As stated by the minister, the police carried out a mega-operation of great importance for the country and the defense of democracy.

"It (the operation) is targeted against Shining Path's political wing —known as Movadef— among other names they used," he told RPP radio and TV station.

According to the government official, Movadef-linked people have been previously arrested for the alleged crime of apology for terrorism, but current investigations show that they are part of the Shining Path structure.

"These investigations —unlike the previous ones— have shown that there are enough elements to prove Movadef is not a group that makes apology (for terrorism), but the political wing of Shining Path," Vargas expressed.

"This police operation was a coup de grace for this criminal group, which has caused so much damage to the country," he added.

Moreover, the Cabinet member affirmed that these actions are consistent with the Police's efforts to defend democracy.

"The terrorist group has been defeated in the military arena, as well as this political wing, which attempted to operate underground," he said.

(END) FHG/CVC/RMB/MVB

Publicado: 2/12/2020