Former President Pedro Castillo was hospitalized after starting a hunger strike, protesting his rebellion trial, for which he faces a 34-year sentence. The court cited health issues as the reason for his transfer. Castillo claims the trial is politicized and denies wrongdoing. Following his removal from office, Peru experienced major protests. His hunger strike led to sanctions from the prison system, including isolation and suspended visitation rights.
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo has been transferred to a hospital three days after commencing a hunger strike in protest of his ongoing rebellion trial. The court overseeing the trial reported his transfer was necessary to address a “health problem” and to assess for potential “fluid-electrolyte disorder and mild dehydration.” Castillo, aged 55, faces a possible 34 years of imprisonment from the prosecution.
Since his detention on December 7, 2022, following a controversial speech announcing the dissolution of Congress, Castillo has labeled the trial a “politicized” and “pantomime”. He has refused to accept legal representation offered by the judicial system. During his trial’s commencement last week, he denied accusations of rebellion, asserting that his intent was merely to express the people’s wishes through political discourse.
After Castillo’s removal from office, his then Vice President, Dina Boluarte, assumed leadership. This transition sparked three months of protests, resulting in numerous fatalities across the country. Originally a rural school teacher, Castillo entered politics without prior experience, winning the presidency in the 2021 election. Apart from the rebellion trial, he is also being investigated for alleged corruption during his presidency.
The Peruvian corrections agency has deemed Castillo’s hunger strike a violation of prison regulations, consequently suspending his visitation rights and placing him in isolation. Walter Ayala, a former minister in Castillo’s administration, indicated that the ex-president has requested from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights a protective measure to terminate the punitive actions taken against him by the corrections agency.
Pedro Castillo’s transfer to a hospital highlights ongoing health concerns amid a significant rebellion trial that could lead to extensive imprisonment. His portrayal of the trial as politically motivated raises questions about the judicial process in Peru, as significant public unrest continues to embroil the nation post his presidency. The situation remains complex with further investigations into his previous government conduct, and his hunger strike adds another layer of urgency to his legal battles.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
