**Updates IFEX alerts of 12 March, 22 February 1996; 22 November, 15 August 1995; 13 October, 25 May 1994, and others** In a recent interview broadcast on the radio program “Programas del Peru”, Dr. Carlos Rivera, a lawyer for the Institute for Legal Defence (Instituto de Defensa Legal, IDL), stated that the file (the court […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 12 March, 22 February 1996;
22 November, 15 August 1995; 13 October,
25 May 1994, and others**
In a recent interview broadcast on the radio program “Programas
del Peru”, Dr. Carlos Rivera, a lawyer for the Institute for
Legal Defence (Instituto de Defensa Legal, IDL), stated that the
file (the court records of the case) of Jesus Alfonso Castiglione
Mendoza have been requested by several key people associated with
the detained journalist’s case. Rivera stated that the President
of the Supreme Court, Dr. Moises Pantojo Rulfo, had asked for the
file so that he could review the case. Other judges of the
Supreme Court have also expressed interest, Rivera added. As
well, the President of the Lima Superior Court, Dr. Marcos
Ibazeta, has requested to inspect the file. Furthermore, a
representative from the Congressional Commission on Human Rights
told Rivera that the President of the Commission, Dra. Luz
Salgado Rubianes, had asked for a copy of the file in order to
analyse the legal irregularities that occurred during the trial.
Meanwhile, two cases connected to that of Castiglione were
reheard this past week. The first is taking place in a court in
Trujillo and involves an individual who was originally implicated
with Castiglione and who is currently serving his sentence in a
prison in El Milagro. The second is happening in a court in Puno
and involves a member of the Shining Path terrorist movement
originally accused with Castiglione, and who is currently
imprisoned in Yanamayo. The latter individual had originally
charged that Castiglione was involved with Shining Path but later
recanted, saying that the journalist had never been associated
with it. This testimony was never considered by the Superior
Court faceless tribunal in spite of the fact that it comprised
part of Castiglione’s defence. Rivera stated that it was unusual
for these two cases to be tried a second time, and suspected that
it might be due to the Supreme Court wanting to annul the
sentences and call for a new trial. However, Rivera doubted that
this would happen.
In the meantime, Rivera reportedly has officially approved the
court record of Castiglione’s trial at the Superior Court in
order that his case can move on to the Supreme Court. The record
is now being reviewed by the State Prosecutor (Fiscalia Suprema)
which is to give an opinion on it soon. The State Prosecutor
will then send it to the Supreme Court so that it can render a
verdict. This process normally takes between six and eight
months, a period of time in which Castiglione will have to remain
imprisoned.
IPYS would like to thank those IFEX members who have written
letters to Peruvian authorities in support of Castiglione. A
summary of those letters was published in the magazine
“Caretas”.
Appeals To
