On 1 June 1995, after having been imprisoned for more than two years, Peruvian journalist Pedro Valdez Bernales was found innocent by a special anonymous tribunal of the Lima Supreme Court. **Updates Alerts from 31 March and 16 February 1995. For background, see Alerts from 6 September and 26 July 1994** The case was returned […]
On 1 June 1995, after having been imprisoned for more than two
years, Peruvian journalist Pedro Valdez Bernales was found
innocent by a special anonymous tribunal of the Lima Supreme
Court.
**Updates Alerts from 31 March and 16 February 1995. For
background, see Alerts from 6 September and 26 July 1994**
The case was returned to the Lima Supreme Court for the new
trial, which began on 16 February 1995. Bernales’s defence
lawyer, after proving that his client had been falsely linked
with the Shining Path terrorists, asked for his freedom.
On 1 June, after having re-examined the records of the case and
the defence’s argument, the President of the anonymous tribunal
judged Bernales innocent and ordered that he be released
immediately. Bernales was freed the following day.
Background Information
Pedro Valdez Bernales was arrested on 19 November 1992 while on
his way to work at Fama Publications. The police accused him of
collaboration with the Shining Path guerillas. He was sentenced
on 19 August 1993 to 20 years in prison by an anonymous tribunal
of the Lima Supreme Court. His lawyer asked for a review of the
case, No. 994-93. In January 1995, the Supreme Court passed
judgment overturning the sentence and ordering a new trial.
Recommended Action
Send letters to the President of the Superior Court of Lima:
tribunal and asking for a revision of cases of other imprisoned
journalists in Peru.
Appeals To
Dr. Alejandro Rodriguez Medrano
President of the Superior Court of Lima
Fax: +(51 14) 334 070/ +(51 14) 284 853
