The Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court on Tuesday resumed the
oral trial against former President Pedro Castillo, former Prime Minister Betssy Chavez, and other defendants for the crime of rebellion in relation to the events of December 7, 2022.
The session began with witness testimonies. The first person to testify was Congresswoman Martha Moyano, Congress First Deputy-Chair at the time of the events.
During the hearing, Castillo's defense team requested a suspension of the session, arguing that the former top official needed to leave due to a medical appointment scheduled for 11:30 a.m. (local time).
Subsequently, testimonies were given by the driver of the vehicle who transported Castillo after his national address on December 7, and a police agent.
Prosecutor's resignation
Prosecutor Galinka Meza, who had been investigating Pedro Castillo for attempting to break the rule of law resigned from the Public Ministry.
According to
Resolution No. 955-2025-MP-FN from the Attorney General's Office, published today in the Official Gazette El Peruano,
Meza stepped down from her position as provisional deputy supreme prosecutor and from her career post as a provincial criminal prosecutor in Lima.
In her resignation letter, dated March 19, 2025, she cited "personal reasons" and requested that her resignation take effect on March 20.
The former prosecutor had participated in oral trial sessions against Castillo, Chavez, former advisor Anibal Torres, and former Interior Minister Willy Huerta.
Following her departure, the Public Ministry is now represented by deputy supreme prosecutors Luis Felipe Zapata, Alejandra Maria Cardenas, and Jaime Alcides Velarde.
Before her resignation, Meza had presented the prosecutorial indictment, in which she requested the Special Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court to sentence Castillo to 34 years in prison for the crimes of rebellion, abuse of authority, and serious disturbance of public order.
For the other defendants, the Prosecutor's Office is seeking 25 and 15 years in prison, as well as a joint civil reparation payment of S/64,419,038 (US$17.51 million) to be paid by those convicted.
Castillo and his co-defendants are accused of rebellion for attempting to break the constitutional order on December 7, 2022, when the former president announced in a televised address to the nation the dissolution of Congress and the reorganization of the Judiciary, the Public Ministry, and other institutions.
(END) OPG/CVC/JMP/MVB
Published: 4/1/2025