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Peru policemen to face trial over torture of 28 farmers
(Photo: La Republica)
By Manuel Vigo
May 8, 2012
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On Monday, prosecutors filed suit against 14 police officers that allegedly tortured 28 farmers in the province of Huancabamba, Piura in 2005.
The farmers – who took part in a march against the Rio Blanco mining project - were supposedly tortured by police officers, employees of Rio Blanco Copper mining company, and personnel from private security firm Forza, La Republica reported.
After a criminal investigation, prosecutors also charged two doctors with having purportedly issued false documents that aimed hide the physical abuse endured by the farmers.
In 2009 La Republica published photographs showing the unlawful detainment of the farmers, their hands tied together by rope.
Several residents of local communities that opposed the mining project were severely beaten during protests. One villager was killed, during a clash with police officers, the daily said.
Although Rio Blanco denied responsibility for the events, in 2009 parent company Monterrico Metals PLc, agreed to compensate the 28 farmers, as well as the family of the villager who was killed, in order to avoid a trial in the UK.
Local prosecutors are now requesting a 10-year prison sentence for the 14 police officers, and 10 million soles in reparations, for each of the 28 farmers.
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COMMENTS:
Total coments: 3
Commented By: rijobel
On: May 8, 2012. 1:13 pm
I am becoming more optimistic about Peru. This article, the one about Vice Minister of Fisheries Patricia Majluf resigning and the comments by Mario Vargas Llosa all point to positive developments in the political atmosphere of the country. It is unfortunate that Vice Minister Majluf had to resign but the fact that she did so and spoke openly about her reasons tells me that there is a real opportunity for a bright future for Peru.
Commented By: Viracocha
On: May 8, 2012. 4:51 pm
Why has it taken 7 years to bring this event to this point ? V
Commented By: NYpoodle
On: May 8, 2012. 10:58 pm
OKAY, i just saw some on AljazeeraEnglish on youtube about this, and the police were not charged for this crime. It's about time, because with security like that who needs them? The victims of this case did settle for an out of court settlement that Rio Blanco (a British Company) paid them for the damages. Although the payment must have been peanuts, the victims should have taken them to trial to tarnish their reputation, because that is what they deserve for what they caused
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