Andina

Peru: Oral trial of former President Castillo over coup continues

Photo: ANDINA/Luis Iparraguirre

Photo: ANDINA/Luis Iparraguirre

15:12 | Lima, Mar. 18.

The Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice on Tuesday continued the trial against former President Pedro Castillo, who is accused of the alleged commission of the crime of rebellion.

The sixth hearing began without the presence of Castillo, who had refused to leave his cell to attend the session.

It was reported that a doctor had assessed his health condition.

The court ordered the hearing to proceed without the former top official, who is incarcerated at Barbadillo Prison in Lima's Ate district.

Afterwards, the testimony of the summoned witnesses was announced, including retired General Manuel Gomez de la Torre, who was the head of the Joint Command of the Armed Forces on the day the coup was announced.

However, before the witness could begin to testify, the legal medical expert who had just assessed the ex-President in his cell was ordered to report on the accused's health condition.

The report from the physician determined that Castillo was showing symptoms of aggravated gastritis and lumbar pain. Similarly, he indicated that his health condition was stable.

The expert informed the court that the ex-president had received medication for his lumbar pain and concluded that, at that time, he could not be transferred to the courtroom.

Likewise, the physician specified that Castillo required rest while receiving medication for the pain.

The hearing was adjourned to summon the Barbadillo Prison's director to also report on the accused's situation.

The court sought to determine whether the accused can be transferred to the courtroom or if he required rest due to his medical treatment.

In turn, the prison director reported that Castillo had stated that "due to health reasons he was feeling unable" to attend the hearing.

Thus, the Prosecutor's Office requested the court to issue a ruling to determine in which hearings the presence of the accused is necessary in the courtroom, so that the future progress of the trial and the scheduled witness testimonies are not delayed.

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/MVB

Published: 3/18/2025