Lima (EFE).- Peruvian former President Pedro Castillo (2021-2022) was sentenced on Thursday to 11 years and five months for conspiracy to rebel following his failed coup attempt on Dec. 7, 2022.
The Supreme Court of Peru, which tried Castillo, ruled that he did not commit the crime of rebellion, as he did not carry out his coup intentions.
The Prosecutor General’s Office hence changed the requested sentence for the former head of state from 34 years to the one issued by the court.
On the day of the events, Castillo addressed the nation, ordering the temporary dissolution of Congress (Parliament) and the intervention of the judiciary.
He planned to govern by decree in the event of an imminent impeachment in Congress by the opposition, to remove him after allegations of corruption directly affecting him came to light.
However, his pronouncement had no effect, and he was arrested a few minutes later when he left the Government Palace in Lima.
Castillo was en route to the Mexican Embassy, where his family had arrived and received asylum. Hours later, Congress impeached Castillo, and he was sent to prison, where he remains to this day.
The former president was acquitted of the crimes of abuse of authority and grave disturbance of public order, yet disqualified from holding public office for two years and ordered to pay 12 million soles (3.5 million dollars) in compensation, jointly and severally with his co-defendants.
Former Prime Minister Betssy Chávez, who is currently seeking asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Lima, and former Interior Minister Willy Huerta were sentenced to 11 years, five months, and 15 days in prison. The court ordered a new search and capture for Chávez.
Huerta’s sentence will be suspended until the second instance if he appeals and adheres to a series of behavioral norms.
Meanwhile, Aníbal Torres, the former prime minister and chief advisor to Castillo at the time of the events, received a six-year, eight-month unenforced prison sentence for humanitarian reasons (his advanced age, 82 years old).
Former police chiefs Manuel Lozada and Justo Venero were acquitted of the charges. EFE
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