Hospitalization of Ex-President Castillo Following Hunger Strike Protest

Pedro Castillo, Peru’s former president, was hospitalized following a hunger strike against his rebellion trial. He faces 34 years imprisonment and has called the trial politicized. Castillo’s detention has been marked by isolation and controversy surrounding his claim of political bias.

Former President Pedro Castillo of Peru was transferred to a hospital three days post commencement of his hunger strike, aimed at protesting his ongoing rebellion trial. The court overseeing his case indicated Castillo, aged 55, was moved due to a health issue, specifically to investigate potential fluid-electrolyte imbalance and mild dehydration.

Castillo has been in detention since December 7, 2022, following a televised declaration to dissolve Congress and rule by decree, acting in response to Congress’s dismissal of his presidency that same day. He is facing a prosecution demand for 34 years in prison.

During the trial, which he deems as “politicized” and a “pantomime,” Castillo has rejected the legal counsel provided by the judicial system. He refuted the charges of rebellion, asserting that his statements were merely expressions of the people’s wishes via political rhetoric.

His presidential successor, Dina Boluarte, assumed office amidst a backdrop of civil unrest that followed Castillo’s removal, resulting in numerous fatalities amid nationwide protests. Castillo, a former rural school teacher with no political background before his election victory in 2021, is also under investigation for corruption during his presidency.

The Peruvian corrections agency asserted that Castillo’s hunger strike violates prison regulations, leading to the suspension of his visitation privileges and his placement in isolation. Meanwhile, Walter Ayala, a former minister and attorney for Castillo, disclosed that the ex-president has sought intervention from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights to put an end to punitive measures imposed by the corrections authority.

Former President Pedro Castillo’s hunger strike, initiated in protest of his rebellion trial, has resulted in hospitalization due to health concerns. Facing a 34-year prison sentence and an existing corruption investigation, Castillo’s claims of political bias resonate amidst ongoing civil tensions in Peru. His detention, subsequent isolation, and appeals for international intervention underscore the ongoing challenges within Peru’s political landscape.

Original Source: www.usnews.com