A Peru court has ordered 18-month detention for ousted President Pedro Castillo and approved authorities’ request for time to build a rebellion case against him.
The decision came on Thursday, a day after the government declared a police state, a national emergency, after at least 14 people died in the violent clashes. The Ministry of Health reported that 40 people were hospitalised for injuries suffered during the unrest, reported AP.
The state of emergency declaration suspends the rights of assembly and freedom of movement and empowers the police, supported by the military, to search people’s homes without permission or judicial order.
The protesters have burned police stations, taken over an airstrip used by the armed forces, and even invaded the runway of the international airport in Arequipa, reported AP.
Peru is witnessing a civil crisis after former President Pedro Castillo was voted out of power by lawmakers last week, following his attempt to dissolve Congress ahead of a third impeachment vote. The national crisis is only deepening the instability in the country which has had six presidents in the last six years.
According to AP, judge Cesar San Martin Castro’s ruling came days after Congress stripped Castillo of the privilege that keeps Peru’s presidents from facing criminal charges. However, Castillo and his legal team refused to participate in Thursday’s virtual hearing, arguing it lacked “minimum guarantees.”
Castillo was represented by a public defender, who said the judge’s decision would be appealed.
Whereas Peru’s Supreme Prosecutor Alcides Chinchay said in the court that Castillo faces at least 10 years in prison for the rebellion charge.
Elaborating on how Castillo is a flight risk, Chinchay said he was trying to reach the Mexican Embassy to seek asylum after he left the presidential palace.
“We do not believe that he wanted to go to the Mexican Embassy to have tea,” Chinchay said.
Castillo’s public defender rejected claims that the former president is a flight risk. He told judge Castillo’s children and wife depend on him and he could return to his teaching job if freed.
In his ruling, judge Castro mentioned Castillo being a “concrete flight risk” and that the risk “remains latent over time”.
According to AP, Castillo is being held at a built-for-presidents detention center inside a National Police facility. On Thursday, police in riot gear stood outside the facility as dozens of Castillo supporters gathered throughout the day.
The protesters were demanding Castillo’s freedom, the resignation of President Dina Boluarte, and the immediate scheduling of general elections to pick a new president and members of Congress.
Peru Crisis
The turmoil in Peru began after former President Pedro Castillo tried to dissolve Congress as lawmakers began a third attempt to impeach him since he was elected in July 2021. After he was thrown out of power, his vehicle was intercepted as he traveled through Lima’s streets with his security detail.
He has been accused of seeking political asylum in the Mexican embassy.
While in office, Castillo spent much of his time defending himself against attacks from Congress.
At present, Dina Boluarte is holding the office of the President of Peru. It is unclear if former vice president Bolurate will get chance to govern.