During Demonstrations, The Former President Of Peru Was Arrested For 18 Months.

Following his arrest last week, which caused fatal upheaval in the South American nation, Pedro Castillo, the country’s former president, was ordered by Peru’s Supreme Court on Thursday to stay in custody for an additional 18 months.

Castillo’s attempt to dissolve the legislature and declaration that he would govern by decree, which his detractors claim was an attempt to avoid an impeachment vote amid several corruption investigations, resulted in his removal from office and detention.

According to public prosecutor Alcides Diaz, the left-leaning former teacher is charged with rebellion and conspiracy and may spend up to 10 years in prison if proven guilty.

Castillo attempted to seek refuge at the Mexican consulate in Lima, therefore prosecutors asked the Supreme Court judge to allow their plea to hold him in detention on the grounds that he constituted a flight risk. The detention mandate is in effect until June 2024.

The health ministry and local authorities report that 15 people have died as a result of nationwide demonstrations against his departure from office. Despite the emergency, thousands demonstrate every day around the country, including on Thursday in Lima.

At least seven people were killed in clashes on Thursday in the southern city of Ayacucho between members of the military and Castillo’s followers, according to local health officials. Two more people were killed in clashes outside the airport, according to the country’s Ombudsman.

The police claim that at least half of the 340 wounded people are members of their ranks, whereas the ombudsman placed the figure at 340.

Dozens of Castillo’s supporters, who have set up camp outside the jail where he is being kept in the capital, are unfazed and unyielding.

In response to the court’s decision to keep Castillo in custody, protester Rolando Arana, 38, stated in Lima, “I am totally opposed to the Peruvian legal system since everything is for sale.”

The president has been taken hostage. There isn’t any way to put it, Lucy Carranza, 41, said earlier.

On Thursday, under the careful eye of police, 300 protesters marched close to the jail while yelling “Freedom for Castillo.”

After Castillo’s arrest, former vice president Dina Boluarte, who took office immediately, proclaimed a 30-day national state of emergency on Wednesday.

She urged Congress on Thursday to accept a constitutional change that would let her move the July 2026 election date to December 2023.