Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo (2021-2022) will be tried for the failed coup he attempted on December 7, 2022, the Peruvian Judiciary determined on Monday.
The decision was made by provisional Supreme Court Judge Juan Carlos Checkley, who rejected a request for dismissal (archive) of this investigation presented by Castillo and the other defendants in this case, the Judiciary stated on the social network X.
In this way, it was determined that the former ruler will go to trial for the failed coup, which led to Congress removing him shortly after the attempt, along with his former prime ministers Aníbal Torres and Betssy Chávez.
In announcing his decision, Checkley said that the arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defense of the accused “must be contrasted at the trial stage and not at the prosecution” stage of the case.
With this measure, the Judiciary decided to “continue with the proceedings against Pedro Castillo, Aníbal Torres, Betssy Chávez and others for the crime of rebellion and another crime against the State.”
The decision on the request for dismissal, which was made in a virtual hearing of the accusation control stage, cannot be appealed.
Former ministers Willy Huerta and Roberto Sánchez, who is a current congressman, will also be tried in this case, as well as officers of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) Manuel Lozada, Jesús Venero and Eder Infanzón.
When filing its indictment request last January, the Prosecutor’s Office asked that the former president be sentenced to 34 years in prison for the crimes of rebellion, abuse of authority and serious disturbance of public peace.
He also asked that Chavez, who was prime minister during the failed coup and is currently in pretrial detention, be sentenced to 25 years in prison, and that Torres, who had left that post but remained Castillo’s legal adviser, receive 15 years in prison.
Judge Checkley is currently conducting the evidence control phase, in which the evidence presented by the prosecution is evaluated, as well as the relevance of the witnesses who will be called to testify.
The process must still wait for the magistrate to conclude this stage and issue an indictment order, in which he must formalize the start of an oral trial that, according to the high position held by Castillo, must be taken over by the Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court.
Castillo was removed from office by Congress shortly after he gave a televised address on December 7, 2022, in which he announced his intention to close Congress, intervene in the Judiciary, and call for a constituent assembly.
In response, he was dismissed for “permanent moral incapacity” and then arrested by agents of the Peruvian National Police (PNP). He has since remained in prison while being prosecuted for the crime of rebellion and also facing other cases of alleged corruption.
Caracas / EFE
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2024-09-10 01:05:26
Where is Pedro Castillo now
Table of Contents
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo to Face Trial for Failed Coup
In a significant development, the Peruvian Judiciary has determined that former President Pedro Castillo will be tried for the failed coup he attempted on December 7, 2022. This decision was made by provisional Supreme Court Judge Juan Carlos Checkley, who rejected a request for dismissal of the investigation presented by Castillo and the other defendants in this case.
The failed coup led to Congress removing Castillo from power shortly after the attempt, along with his former prime ministers Aníbal Torres and Betssy Chávez. The Judiciary has decided to continue with the proceedings against Castillo, Torres, Chávez, and others for the crime of rebellion and another crime against the State.
Castillo’s pre-trial detention has been extended multiple times, with the most recent extension being by 18 months in July 2024 [[1]][[2]]. This extension is in addition to the 36 months of pre-trial detention previously ordered by a judge in March 2023 [[3]].
Former ministers Willy Huerta and Roberto Sánchez, who is a current congressman, will also be tried in this case, as well as officers of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) Manuel Lozada, Jesús Venero, and Eder Infanzón.
The Prosecutor’s Office has asked that Castillo be sentenced to 34 years in prison for the crimes of rebellion, abuse of authority, and serious disturbance of public peace. Chávez, who was prime minister during the failed coup and is currently in pretrial detention, faces a possible sentence of 25 years in prison, while Torres, who had left his post as prime minister but remained Castillo’s legal adviser, faces a possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
Judge Checkley is currently conducting the evidence control phase, in which the evidence presented by the prosecution is evaluated, as well as the relevance of the witnesses who will be called to testify. The process must still wait for the magistrate to conclude this stage and issue an indictment order, in which he must formalize the start of an oral trial that, according to the high position held by Castillo, must be taken over by the Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court.
The trial of former President Pedro Castillo and his co-defendants is a significant development in Peruvian politics and will be closely watched by the international community.
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo to Face Trial for Failed Coup
In a significant development, the Peruvian Judiciary has determined that former President Pedro Castillo will be tried for the failed coup he attempted on December 7, 2022. This decision was made by provisional Supreme Court Judge Juan Carlos Checkley, who rejected a request for dismissal of the investigation presented by Castillo and the other defendants in this case.
Background of the Failed Coup
On December 7, 2022, President Pedro Castillo announced his intention to close Congress, intervene in the Judiciary, and call for a constituent assembly in a televised address. This move was seen as a self-coup attempt, leading to his removal from office by Congress shortly after. Castillo was dismissed for “permanent moral incapacity” and then arrested by agents of the Peruvian National Police (PNP). He has since remained in prison while being prosecuted for the crime of rebellion and also facing other cases of alleged corruption.
Trial Proceedings
The Judiciary has decided to continue with the proceedings against Castillo, Aníbal Torres, Betssy Chávez, and others for the crime of rebellion and another crime against the State. Former ministers Willy Huerta and Roberto Sánchez, who is a current congressman, will also be tried in this case, as well as officers of the Peruvian National Police (PNP) Manuel Lozada, Jesús Venero, and Eder Infanzón.
The Prosecutor’s Office has asked that Castillo be sentenced to 34 years in prison for the crimes of rebellion, abuse of authority, and serious disturbance of public peace. Chávez, who was prime minister during the failed coup and is currently in pretrial detention, faces a possible sentence of 25 years in prison, while Torres, who had left that post but remained Castillo’s legal adviser, faces a possible sentence of 15 years in prison.
Current Status of Pedro Castillo
Castillo’s pre-trial detention has been extended multiple times, with the most recent extension being by 18 months in July 2024 [[1]][[2]]. This extension is in addition to the 36 months of pre-trial detention previously ordered by a judge in March 2023 [[3]].
Historical Context of Coups in Peru
Peru has a history of coups, with the most notable one being the 1992 self-coup by President Alberto Fujimori, who suspended the Constitution and dissolved Congress [[1]]. This move was seen as a threat to democracy and led to international condemnation.
the trial of former President Pedro Castillo for his failed coup attempt is a significant step towards upholding democracy and accountability in Peru. The outcome of the trial will be closely watched, and its implications will have
