Peruvian Congress approves indictment of former President Pedro Castillo

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Peru´s Congress approved a report Friday that recommends the Prosecutor's Office charge former President Pedro Castillo for alleged crimes of criminal organization and corruption.

The accusation was filed last year by Attorney General Patricia Benavides.

The motion was approved in a 59 - 22 vote, with three abstentions. The report will be sent to the Prosecutor's Office which will initiate criminal proceedings against Castillo.

Castillo allegedly led a criminal organization to obtain illegal benefits from fraudulent public works bids, according to the report.

Congress also approved the indictments of former Minister of Transportation and Communications Juan Silva and former Housing, Civil Construction and Sanitation Minister Geiner Alvarado, for allegedly leading a criminal organization.

Castillo's lawyer Eduardo Pachas unsuccessfully requested that the former president be able to exercise his right to a face-to-face defense. But lawmaker Lady Camones said because he is a prisoner, Castillo is not allowed to be present in parliament.

The debate in parliament began shortly after 10 a.m. and went for more than three hours.

The former leftist president was ousted and arrested Dec. 7 after attempting to dissolve Congress and rule by decree to avoid impeachment over allegations of corruption. A Supreme Court judge later ruled that Castillo would remain in detention for 18 months.

Massive protests have taken place since those events to reject Castillo's ouster and demand the resignation of new President Dina Boluarte.

​​​​​​​Seventy people have been killed as a result of the social unrest, which has not subsided.