Attorney General of Peru demands that President Boluarte be tried
President Boluarte is on the agenda in Peru…
The country’s attorney general, Patricia Benavides, requested judicial permission to pave the way for the trial of President Dina Boluarte.
In his complaint to the National Assembly, Benavides accused Boluarte of “premeditated murder” for the deaths of protesters during anti-government protests on New Year’s Eve.
Peruvian President Boluarte. (Photo: Reuters)
If the Peruvian National Assembly considers the request appropriate and the majority of deputies approve it, the way will be cleared for Boluarte to be tried.
According to the Peruvian Constitution, where the trial of the president is subject to parliamentary approval, if this approval is not obtained, Boluarte can be tried when his term expires.
THE PRESIDENT REJECTED THE ACCUSATIONS
Dina Boluarte, for her part, rejected the accusations of chief prosecutor Benavides and described the accusations as “despicable.”
In his written statement, President Boluarte said: “It is strange that such a request was made after everyone in the country saw how the Attorney General’s offices were raided and several members of his team were arrested on corruption allegations.”
Boluarte, accused by human rights organizations of using “disproportionate force” against protesters, blames criminal organizations and “radical left-wing groups” for acts of violence.
Although 2 of the 5 leaders who have occupied the presidential seat in Peru since 2016 were dismissed by Congress, none of them were able to complete their mandate.
On the other hand, Attorney General Benavides was recently accused of closing the corruption investigation involving some parliamentarians.
Attorney General Benavides, for his part, maintained that the accusations against him were “retaliation for his efforts in defense of human rights.”
ACTIONS STARTED IN 2022
In Peru, former President Pedro Castillo was impeached last year after his attempt to suspend Congress.
Following Castillo’s ouster, thousands of protesters took to the streets on December 11, 2022 and started anti-government protests.
To date, 64 people have died in the protests and the number of injured has exceeded 1,700. (AA)