Former Peruvian President Castillo Hospitalized Amid Hunger Strike Protests

Former President Pedro Castillo has been hospitalized after beginning a hunger strike to protest his rebellion trial. He alleges that his judicial proceedings are politicized, asserting his innocence while facing a 34-year prison sentence. Additionally, he faces a corruption investigation, and prison authorities have taken punitive measures against him due to his actions.

Former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo was hospitalized on Thursday, following a hunger strike initiated three days prior in protest of his ongoing rebellion trial. The court overseeing his case indicated that Castillo, aged 55, was transferred to address a “health problem” and to rule out concerns related to fluid-electrolyte imbalance and mild dehydration.

The prosecution has demanded a sentence of 34 years in prison for Mr. Castillo. He has been detained since December 7, 2022, when he delivered a televised address announcing the dissolution of Congress and expressing his intention to govern by decree. Congress subsequently removed him from office on the same day.

Mr. Castillo has condemned his trial as “politicized” and a “pantomime,” rejecting any legal representation offered by the judicial system. In the initial proceedings of his trial, he denied allegations of rebellion, asserting that he merely voiced the desires of the people through political speech.

Following Castillo’s ousting, then Vice President Dina Boluarte took office, leading to three months of protests that resulted in numerous fatalities during the demonstrations. Castillo, who had no prior political experience and was a rural school teacher, won the 2021 presidential election. Apart from the rebellion trial, he is also under investigation for alleged corruption during his presidency.

Peru’s corrections agency has ruled that Castillo’s hunger strike violates prison regulations, subsequently suspending his visitation rights and placing him in isolation. Walter Ayala, a former minister in Castillo’s administration, disclosed that on Wednesday, Castillo sought a precautionary measure from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, requesting an order for the government to annul the corrections agency’s punitive measures against him.

In summary, Pedro Castillo, the former president of Peru, has been transferred to a hospital following a hunger strike related to his rebellion trial. While he faces significant legal challenges, including a potential 34-year sentence and a separate corruption investigation, his current actions highlight his claims of political persecution. The situation continues to evolve, reflecting broader political tensions in Peru.

Original Source: www.clickorlando.com