Peru’s Prime Minister Pedro Cateriano pointed out the Inter-American Court of Human Rights verdict on the Chavin de Huantar case has definitely set military commandos as innocent of any unlawful act, and rejected the assertion that they will be prosecuted again by the Judiciary.
At the most, commandos might be summoned to testify as witnesses in a judicial procedure to clear up how Eduardo Cruz Sanchez, alias "Tito", died.
“From a legal and judicial point of view, this has closed the chapter, and no criminal responsibility is provided,” he told the media.
Cateriano highlighted that the verdict is sound and ratifies what has been pointed out by the Supreme Court of Peru, which established the commandos’ innocence of any crime charged.
The government official supported President Humala, who regrets having to pay US$30,000 non-governmental organizations to cover costs of the proceedings, and recalled that terrorists do not pay the compensation to the State.
After clarifying that this is not about compensations, but judicial costs, the Cabinet’s Chief argued that, in general, those convicted of terrorism and some criminals do not meet such obligations and they even “continue living like a king.”
He emphasized it is quite an achievement of the Peruvian defense that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has not ordered a compensation payment.
Cateriano highlighted the procedures, statements and actions taken by the government to defend the commandos, which were not observed in previous administrations.
"The examinations, medical reports and opinions have been recently obtained during the Humala’s administration; for instance, the number of bullets that struck terrorists had not been specified before,” he affirmed.
The testimony of former Japanese diplomat Morihisa Aoki will be offered at this stage. According to Cateriano, Aoki’s testimony disagrees with that of Hidetaka Ogura, former Japanese Embassy employee, who said the terrorist was alive.
(END) EGZ/CCR/RMB
Published: 7/1/2015