Judge orders second preventive detention for Pedro Castillo

A judge in Peru on Thursday ordered 36 months in pre-trial detention for corruption for former President Pedro Castillo, who is serving another 18-month pre-trial prison for rebellion after being ousted in December.

Magistrate Juan Checkley explained that there are no impediments under the law to issue a second preventive detention because it is a different case.

This second order, which includes the crimes of criminal organization, influence peddling and collusion, would imply that Castillo remains behind bars until March 2026.

Checkley considered that there are indications that Castillo was involved during his administration (2021-2022) in the purchase of biodiesel for the state oil company Petroperú for which he would have received $527,000.

Also that he is involved in an irregular tender for the construction of a bridge in the Amazon.

The judge also considered that the former president could flee Peru if he is released because his wife and two children have been asylum seekers in Mexico since he was removed on December 7 by Congress when he tried to dissolve it.

In December, a judge ordered Castillo to be kept in pretrial detention while he was investigated for the alleged crime of rebellion and conspiracy for attempting a “coup” to establish an emergency government.

Following Castillo’s removal, Parliament named his then vice president, Dina Boluarte, as his successor, who took power on December 7.

Since that date, demonstrations have been unleashed throughout the country to demand the resignation of Boluarte and the members of Parliament, as well as the early holding of elections. Many protesters are also demanding the release and restitution of Castillo.

To date, the mobilizations have left 66 dead, 48 of them civilians in clashes with the security forces.

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