After Impeachment, Former Peru President Pedro Castillo Has A Initial Session: Allegations Of Insurgency And Conspiracy

Pedro Castillo. (Wikimedia Commons/Braian Reyna Gu Kalimantan)

JAKARTA - Former Peru President Pedro Castillo faces a court hearing on Thursday local time over his arrest on charges of rebellion and conspiracy.

Castillo's rapid fall from power on Wednesday came after lawmakers voted enormously to remove the leader, following his failed attempts to rule with a decision and dissolve Congress to avoid a third impeachment vote.

In lieu of Castillo, Congress appointed Dina Bouarte, the 60-year-old Vice President of Peru. She was sworn in as president until 2026, making her the first woman to lead Peru.

Neglecting Castillo's attempt to shut down the legislature through the fire, lawmakers continued the previously planned impeachment trial, with 101 votes in favor of its removal, six against and 10 abstentions.

Peru is known to have experienced intense political instability attacks in recent years. Five presidents in the last five years, all of whom could not complete their term of office.

Castillo, a former teachers and union activist who won a narrow victory in 2021, is backed by rural voters and poor natives.

He was arrested on Wednesday on criminal charges of "insurgency and conspiracy," according to prosecutors. He simultaneously faces separate corruption charges, citing Reuters December 9.

The former president attended a hearing via teleconference from a correctional center in Lima, where he was being held. He was asked if he wanted a speech in court, but refused.

Meanwhile Castillo's attorney, Victor Perez, dismissed the allegations, citing such acts implying the use of weapons and violence, which he said never happened. He called the detention of his client "illegal" and "arbitrary".

Related to that, a constitutional court separately rejected Castillo's claim of arbitrary detention on Thursday, deciding police acted correctly in arresting him.

Castillo himself was ordered to be detained for seven days, as an investigation into allegations he organized the uprising continues.

Several Peruvians protested his arrest, shouting their support for Castillo. 'The fight has started! Free Castillo!' said one of the plaques held by a demonstrator in Lima. Others, small protests caused clashes as police fired tear gas.

It is known, Castillo has asked for asylum in Mexico. Mexican and Peru authorities are consulting on the request, Mexico's foreign minister said on Thursday.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has indicated he will be open to granting asylum to Castillo, a fellow left winger.

The 12-month term of office of 53-year-old Castillo has been marked by an unprecedented change of ministers, as well as various corruption scandals he has rejected as a political motivation effort by members of the far-right Congress controlled by government opposition.