Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was hospitalized after starting a hunger strike against his rebellion trial. Detained since December 2022, he faces a potential 34-year prison sentence while alleging that the trial is politically motivated. Following his strike, he was placed in isolation due to prison regulation violations. Castillo’s case highlights significant political unrest in Peru, marked by public protests after his removal from office.
Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was transferred to a hospital following a hunger strike that he initiated in protest against his ongoing trial for rebellion. This transfer, reported on Thursday, occurred three days into his strike due to health concerns, specifically to investigate a potential fluid-electrolyte imbalance and mild dehydration.
Castillo, 55, has been in detention since December 7, 2022, when he announced the dissolution of Congress during a televised speech, leading to his immediate removal from office. The prosecution is currently pursuing a sentence of 34 years in prison for him, alleging rebellion.
The former president criticized his trial as being “politicized” and a “pantomime.” Throughout his trial, he has rejected the legal representation provided by the judicial system and has denied any wrongdoing, claiming his actions were merely a reflection of the people’s desires.
Following Castillo’s removal, Dina Boluarte, the then Vice President, assumed the presidency, which sparked protests across the nation lasting three months, resulting in numerous fatalities. Castillo, previously a rural school teacher, is also facing a separate investigation concerning corruption during his presidential term.
Peru’s corrections agency has declared that Castillo’s hunger strike violates prison regulations, leading to the suspension of his visitation rights and his placement in isolation. Walter Ayala, a former minister under Castillo and one of his attorneys, revealed that Castillo had sought intervention from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to challenge the sanctions imposed by the corrections agency.
Pedro Castillo’s recent hospital transfer underscores the gravity of his hunger strike amidst ongoing legal challenges. His case reflects broader political tensions in Peru following his removal from office and the resulting public unrest. As he faces serious allegations, the impact of his actions on both his health and legal standing continues to unfold.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
