Lima — Peru’s former president Pedro Castillo has been handed an 18-month preventive prison sentence, as he remains under investigation for alleged rebellion after his attempted self-coup on December 7.
Castillo, who had tried to dissolve Congress on the day he faced an impeachment vote, is implicated alongside former officials Betssy Chávez, Willy Huerta and Aníbal Torres.
The defense of both Torres and Castillo will appeal the ruling handed down by the Peruvian justice system.
Judge Juan Carlos Checkey said that, in addition to the crime of rebellion for which Castillo is being investigated, the former president is also alleged to have committed abuse of authority and conspiracy.
Regarding the alleged crime of rebellion that Castillo is accused of, the judge said that, in his televised speech to the nation on December 7, Castillo hinted at a plan for a coup d’état.
Castillo could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in prison if found guilty of the crime of rebellion, and made the decision to impose a preventive prison sentence given that Castillo was considering fleeing to Mexico to receive political asylum, following an asylum offer made in statements by Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard, and following statements made by Mexico’s President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in favor of Castillo.
In addition to the charge of rebellion, Castillo faces six other investigations relating to his time as president.
Checley added that Castillo had shown “obstructionist and fugitive behavior” and that the request for 18 months of preventive imprisonment by the Prosecutor’s Office is reasonable and proportional to the investigation required.
Since Castillo’s attempted self-coup, a social and political crisis has been raging in the country, with more than 15 people having been killed in demonstrations, and the country is in a state of emergency, with the government having decreed a curfew in 15 provinces of the country for five days in a bid to cool tensions.
