Former President of Peru, Pedro Castillo (2021-2022), has announced that he declared a hunger strike in protest of what he considers an "injustice" against him, referring to his detention at the Barbadillo prison in Lima for alleged rebellion. In a letter published on his social media, Castillo stated that he is unjustly confined and detained for acts he never committed.
In the context of an oral trial that began on March 4 for attempting a coup d'état, after trying to dissolve Congress without legal basis in December 2022, Castillo questioned the impartiality of the court and the judge in charge, who, according to him, have already formed opinions against him, forcing the type of crime of rebellion.
The former president's attorney, Walter Ayala, stated in an interview that he believes his client is an innocent person imprisoned unjustly, especially maintaining that he never took up arms. Ayala pointed out that the hunger strike is a peaceful protest to bring public attention to Castillo's case and held the justice system responsible for any consequences on the former president's health.
The Public Ministry has requested a 34-year prison sentence for Castillo, in addition to his disqualification for three and a half years from holding public office. Castillo's letter and his lawyer's position seek to draw attention, both in Peru and internationally, to what they consider a case of injustice and arbitrariness in the Peruvian judicial system.
