The Peru Prosecutor's Office Gets A 'Green Light' From Congress To Demand Former President Pedro Castillo

JAKARTA - The Peru Prosecutor's Office has received approval from Congress to file a lawsuit against Pedro Castillo, the former President of Peru.

The motion was approved with the acquisition of votes agreeing as many as 59 and 22 rejected and three abstained. The report will be sent to the Prosecutor's Office which will begin criminal proceedings on Castillo.

The Peru Prosecutor's Office will reportedly sue Castillo for alleged crimes by criminal organizations and corruption. The allegation was filed by Attorney General Patricia Benavides last year.

Castillo is suspected of leading a criminal organization to gain illegal profits from fraudulent public job offers.

In addition, Congress also approved charges against former Transport and Communication Minister Juan Silva and former Minister of Housing, Civil Works and Sanitation Geiner Alvarado on suspicion of leading a criminal organization.

Castillo's attorney, Eduardo Pachas, failed to request that the former president could defend himself directly. But Lady Camones lawmakers said because Castillo was a prisoner he was not allowed to attend parliament.

The former left-wing president was ousted and detained on December 7 after trying to dissolve Congress and ruled by decree to avoid impeachment on corruption charges.

A Supreme Court judge later sentenced Castillo to 18 months in prison.

Big protests have taken place since then who rejected Castillo's ouster and demanded the resignation of new President Dina Bouarte.

Seventeen people died as a result of the ongoing social unrest.