Pedro Castillo, Peru’s ousted ex-president, has been hospitalized after four days of hunger strike while on trial for rebellion. He initiated the strike protesting his imprisonment. Castillo is facing significant legal challenges, including a potential 34-year prison sentence, amid a tumultuous political climate in Peru.
Pedro Castillo, the ousted ex-president of Peru, has been hospitalized after four days of a hunger strike, according to the trial judge. Castillo, 55, is currently facing charges of rebellion due to his attempt to dissolve Congress and prevent impeachment related to accusations of graft.
Since December 2022, he has remained in preventive custody. His lawyer revealed that the hunger strike was a “peaceful protest” against what Castillo deems his “unjust, arbitrary” imprisonment. On Thursday, after falling ill, he was admitted to the hospital but is reported to be in stable condition.
Castillo, who was elected in 2021 as Peru’s “first poor president”, encountered substantial political opposition shortly after taking office, leading to multiple investigations into corruption claims that he dismissed as politically motivated. After surviving two impeachment attempts, he initiated the dissolution of Congress but was subsequently arrested while on his way to seek asylum at the Mexican Embassy in Lima.
Prosecutors are seeking a 34-year prison sentence for Castillo on charges related to rebellion and abuse of authority. He is not alone in this legal battle, as three former ministers and several other officials are also facing trial alongside him, indicating a challenging political landscape in Peru.
In conclusion, Pedro Castillo, the former president of Peru, has been hospitalized following a hunger strike that he initiated as a form of protest against his detention. Currently on trial for rebellion, the circumstances surrounding his ousting and subsequent legal challenges reflect the heightened political tensions in Peru, as he faces serious allegations and potential imprisonment.
Original Source: www.derbyinformer.com
