- The Judges authorize the prosecution of the former president for attacking freedom and democracy by breaking the constitutional order on December 7, 2022. The trial includes former ministers Betsy Chávez, Willy Huerta, Roberto Sánchez, Aníbal Torres and police chiefs.
Lima, November 21, 2024.- He spent almost two years making numerous appeals to have her confinement cancelled. The Judges rejected them all. Pedro Castillo Terrones was imprisoned for breaking the constitutional order and attacking freedom and democracy in December 2022 to pay in court for the failed coup d’état, which meant the end of his government and it caused him to be empty, detained and imprisoned.
The Supreme Court authorized the beginning of the oral trial against the former president for the coup d’état. Judge Juan Carlos Checkley ordered that all proceedings be sent to the Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court, which must schedule the start date of this trial against the former president in the coming days. Last October, Checkley completed ruling on the charge against Castillo and seven others involved.
Included in the resolution is Betsy Chávez, who was at the forefront of the regime at the time of the contest – today under preventive detention like her former commander; as well as former Ministers Roberto Sánchez, from Foreign Trade and Tourism; and Willy Huerta, from the inside; and who was Castillo’s main adviser in the last part of his administration, Aníbal Torres.
The former head of the Lima Police Region Manuel Lozada and the policemen Justo Venero and Eder Infanzón will also face an oral trial. The first was to order that no one should enter or leave Congress to these two agents, who were watching the Legislature at the time Castillo read his coup message and announced the dissolution of Parliament.
Everyone, including Castillo Terrones, has been charged with the crime of rebellion. The jailed former president is also accused of abuse of authority and public unrest.
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Castillo and his alleged coup d’état attempted to illegally shut down Congress and reorganize the justice system, after a former official informed Congress that the president who was there at the time money from corrupt acts.
The document signed by Checkley states that former ministers Félix Chero, Alejandro Salas, Emilio Bobbio and César Landa, as well as Castillo’s former lawyer, Benji Espinoza, will be summoned as witnesses.
On Wednesday, December 7, 2022, the police arrested Castillo Terrones in flagrante delicto, when he was traveling by car, on a street in the centre of Lima on his way to the Mexican embassy where he planned to seek asylum.
A moment before, and just when the Plenary Session of Congress was about to decide on his vacancy due to permanent moral incapacity, the former president offered a message to the Nation from the Government Palace, in which he announced the dissolution of the Legislature and requested. new parliamentary elections in his attempt to approve a new Constitution within a period of nine months and get rid of the cases of corruption that have hindered him. During his coup speech he announced that, from that day on, and without a Congress to supervise him, he would be governed by decree law. After the television broadcast, Aníbal Torres and Betssy Chávez hugged Castillo, according to what journalist Cyntya Malpartida Guarniz, who was present that day in the Palace, told the Prosecutor’s Office.
For the Prosecutor’s Office, Torres assisted Castillo in the writing and ideas of the coup message and Chávez participated in the coordination and implementation of the anti-democratic measures.
After his speech, the majority of his ministers presented their resignations, and the Congress approved by a large majority, and with many votes from Peru Libre, his vacancy, his dismissal and the removal of his immunity so that he can prosecute him immediately to justice.
During the control phase of the prosecution, Castillo denied that he committed the crime of rebellion, saying that he never took up arms. In his resolution, Judge Checkley explained, however, that it is not necessary to constitute this crime that each of the co-authors carried weapons or that they exercised violence, “because the act could have been done from space , place or other modality, i. it is sufficient that its contribution is essential to the configuration of the criminal type, within the same criminal context.”
The State Attorney General’s Office requested that Castillo and the other six people involved in this process pay the State civil compensation of 65,419,038 coins jointly and severally for this case.
Source: Peru21
How does the inclusion of former ministers in the trial against Pedro Castillo reflect on accountability in governance?
Interview Between Time.news Editor and Constitutional Law Expert
Editor: Good morning, and welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re diving into a significant political event in Peru — the prosecution of former President Pedro Castillo for breaking the constitutional order and attacking the foundations of democracy. Joining us is Dr. Maria Gonzalez, a constitutional law expert with extensive experience in Latin American politics. Dr. Gonzalez, thank you for being here!
Dr. Gonzalez: Thank you for having me! It’s great to be here and discuss such a crucial topic.
Editor: Let’s start with the fundamentals. Pedro Castillo has been accused of attempting a coup on December 7, 2022. Can you clarify what actions led to these charges?
Dr. Gonzalez: Certainly. On that day, as the Peruvian Congress was about to vote on his impeachment for moral incapacity, Castillo announced the dissolution of Congress and called for new parliamentary elections. This act was seen as a blatant attempt to undermine the democratic process. Following his speech, he was arrested while trying to flee to the Mexican embassy — a clear indication of his awareness of the gravity of his actions.
Editor: It seems like a drastic move. In his announcement, Castillo claimed he would rule by decree law, effectively bypassing Congress. How does this fit into the legal framework of Peru?
Dr. Gonzalez: In Peru, the constitution grants the president certain powers, but it does not allow for the unilateral dissolution of Congress without just cause. Castillo’s assertion that he could govern without legislative oversight is fundamentally at odds with democratic principles established in the country’s constitution. His actions amounted to an attempted coup, leading to charges of rebellion.
Editor: The trial will include several former ministers and police officials. How does this collective prosecution work, and what implications might it have for future governance in Peru?
Dr. Gonzalez: The inclusion of former officials like Betsy Chávez and Willy Huerta suggests a broader complicity in Castillo’s actions. The prosecution may argue that these individuals supported or facilitated the coup attempt. This collective responsibility could serve as a deterrent for future government officials, reinforcing the message that there are serious consequences for acting against constitutional norms.
Editor: Speaking of consequences, could you elaborate on the charges Castillo faces aside from rebellion?
Dr. Gonzalez: Besides rebellion, Castillo is charged with abuse of authority and public unrest. These charges emphasize the potential misuse of presidential powers and the subsequent impact on public order. If convicted, he might face substantial prison time, further reinforcing the judiciary’s stance against actions perceived as threats to democracy.
Editor: Given the current political climate in Peru, how do you foresee this trial influencing public sentiment and the political landscape?
Dr. Gonzalez: The trial is likely to polarize opinions further. Supporters of Castillo may view this as a politically motivated prosecution, while opponents will see it as a necessary step to uphold the rule of law. The outcome could either stabilize Peru’s political climate by holding leaders accountable or exacerbate existing divisions if Castillo is viewed as a martyr for his cause.
Editor: Such complexities in a situation! With testimony from former officials anticipated, what impact do you think this will have on the proceedings?
Dr. Gonzalez: Witness testimonies can considerably impact the trial. They offer an opportunity for the court to hear firsthand the dynamics that led to the coup attempt. If key figures corroborate the prosecution’s claims, it would bolster their case against Castillo and potentially implicate others. However, if those testifying align with Castillo’s defense, it may complicate the prosecution’s narrative.
Editor: As we await the trial’s commencement, what should we be watching for?
Dr. Gonzalez: Keep an eye on the public’s reaction, the framing of testimonies, and any potential movements by Castillo’s supporters. Additionally, the judicial integrity in ensuring a fair trial will be vital, as this case sets a precedent for how constitutional violations are addressed in Peru moving forward.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Gonzalez, for your insights on this crucial issue. It’s clear that the outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for Peru’s democracy and the rule of law.
Dr. Gonzalez: Thank you for having me. It’s a pivotal moment in Peru’s history, and I’m glad to shed light on these important developments.
Editor: Stay tuned as we continue to cover this evolving story. Thank you for joining us today!
