LIMA, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Peru's ex-president Pedro Castillo (2021-2022) went on trial on Tuesday, accused of attempting a coup d'etat by trying to dissolve Congress in December 2022.
"The Judiciary is starting the trial hearing against former President #PedroCastillo and six others accused of #Rebellion and other crimes," Peru's Supreme Court of Justice announced on social media platform X.
The court's Special Criminal Chamber is holding the hearings at the Barbadillo Penitentiary in the capital Lima, where Castillo, 55, is being held.
Other defendants in the case include Betssy Chavez and Anibal Torres, both former presidents of the Council of Ministers.
The prosecution has also charged with "rebellion" the former minister of the interior, Willy Huerta, and three former officers of the National Police: Manuel Lozada, Justo Venero and Eder Infanzon.
State news agency Andina reported that the former president published a letter describing his status as "kidnapped" at Barbadillo and the judicial process against him as a "farce."
Prosecutors are seeking a 34-year prison sentence for Castillo, as well as banning him from holding public office for a period of three years and six months. The other defendants face between 15 and 25 years in prison if convicted.
Early in the day, a group of Castillo supporters gathered outside of the Barbadillo prison in a show of support for the former president. ■
