Peru’s former president, Pedro Castillo, has to be detained for 18 months. This was ruled by the country’s highest court on Thursday, citing a possible risk of escape. Castillo’s dismissal and arrest last week triggered massive protests in Peru where many died.
The Supreme Court gave its decision upon the request of the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. This justified, among other things, the present risk of escape, by the fact that Castillo sought protection at the Mexican embassy in Lima after his impeachment by parliament.
He was dismissed for “moral incompetence”.
Castillo was dismissed by Parliament last week for “moral incompetence” and was later arrested. The left-leaning previous president sees this as a political conspiracy. After her impeachment, her former deputy Dina Boluarte was sworn in as the new president. Since then, there have been repeated protests against the change of power across the country.
(AFP)