The Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice continues
In the third hearing of the oral trial of the former president and other defendants, witnesses presented by the Prosecutor's Office testify.
Third Hearing
The session began without Pedro Castillo's presence, as he was attending another hearing. Once that proceeding concluded, he was brought to the oral trial.
Additionally, the Chamber confirmed the appointment of public defender Ricardo Jhony Hernandez Medina as Castillo's new attorney, after it was revealed that Edgar Calle, the public defender assigned in the previous hearing, had requested his replacement due to a "breakdown of mutual trust between lawyer and client."
However, Castillo once again reiterated that he does not accept a public defender.
The Chamber clarified that the former president may appoint a lawyer of his choice at any time during the proceedings and also reminded him that he has three private attorneys registered in the case.
Furthermore, the court took note of Pedro Castillo's hunger strike. In response, the Chamber urged him to refrain from this protest and instructed the Barbadillo Prison director to take the necessary measures to safeguard his life and health.
It was also reported that doctors from the Institute of Legal Medicine of the Public Ministry examined Castillo Terrones earlier today and diagnosed him as clinically and hemodynamically stable, though slightly dehydrated.
Last Monday, Pedro Castillo declared a hunger strike in protest against the "injustices" that, he claims, are being committed against him.
In a handwritten statement, he denies committing the crimes for which he is being tried and questions one of the judges on the tribunal for "having expressed a prior opinion" against him.
The institute states that refusing to eat as an act of protest or defiance constitutes a serious disciplinary offense under the Penal Execution Code.
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.