Ousted Peru president Castillo ordered detained for 18 months amid protests
- Pedro Castillo’s prison stay extended as prosecutors continue their investigation into criminal charges against the former leader
- Judge’s decision came a day after the government declared a police state as it struggles to calm violent protests
Peru’s Supreme Court on Thursday ordered ousted president Pedro Castillo to remain in detention for another 18 months after his arrest last week, which has sparked deadly unrest in the South American nation.
Castillo was removed from office and detained after he tried to dissolve the legislature and announced he would rule by decree, in what opponents say was a bid to dodge an impeachment vote, amid several corruption probes.
The leftist former schoolteacher stands accused of rebellion and conspiracy and could be jailed for up to 10 years if found guilty, according to public prosecutor Alcides Diaz.
A Supreme Court judge granted the request from prosecutors to keep Castillo in custody, saying he posed a flight risk after trying to seek asylum at the Mexican embassy in Lima. The detention order extends to June 2024.
His removal from office has sparked protests across the country, with the death toll now at 10, according to the health ministry. Thousands rally daily nationwide despite a state of emergency, including in the capital Lima on Thursday.
The country’s ombudsman put the number of injured at 340, with the police saying at least half of that total are from their ranks.