Andina

Peru: Congress approves bill that removes Pedro Castillo's immunity

Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzman

Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzman

09:25 | Lima, Dec. 12.

During a plenary session in the early hours of Monday, Parliament approved a draft legislative resolution to lift the prerogative of political impeachment enjoyed by Pedro Castillo, for the flagrant commission of crimes, noting that criminal proceedings can be brought against him.

Parliamentarians approved this initiative with 67 votes in favor, 45 against, and no abstentions.

The legislative resolution identifies Castillo Terrones as the alleged co-perpetrator of the commission of crimes against State power and constitutional order for the events occurred on December 7 when —in his Address to the Nation— he announced an exceptional emergency government and the dissolution of Congress.

With 44 votes in favor and 67 against, during a plenary session, Parliament rejected the reconsideration of the vote on the proposal to authorize the Board of Congress to present the draft legislative resolution to lift the prerogative of political impeachment against Castillo Terrones.

Congresswoman Adriana Tudela (Avanza Pais) proposed authorizing the Board to present said draft resolution during the debate on the official letter that Attorney General Patricia Benavides submitted to Parliament to report on preliminary proceedings against ex-President Pedro Castillo, as well as ex-Ministers Betssy Chavez and Willy Huerta.

Parliamentarians such as Ruth Luque and Sigrid Bazan stated that the proposal did not meet due process requirements. Therefore, they proposed returning the letter to the Attorney General in order to file a constitutional complaint against the ex-President.

The plenary session was suspended at 1:35 a.m. (local time) on Monday with the approval of the legislative resolution, and now Castillo Terrones could be prosecuted by the Public Ministry.

(END) RMCH/JCR/RMB

Published: 12/12/2022