Prosecutor's Office investigates 11 people arrested for damage to facilities of the Public Prosecutor's Office and Judiciary

The Second Office of the Third Corporate Criminal Prosecutor's Office of Cercado de Lima opened a preliminary investigation against those who are liable for damage caused to the offices of the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Judiciary and other entities during the citizen protests on Tuesday, April 5 in the capital. It was noted that 11 persons were arrested in flagrante.

The Prosecutor's Office has initiated preliminary proceedings to investigate the facts and identify the alleged perpetrators of the crime of aggravated damage against the facilities of these institutions, located in blocks 5 and 8 of Abancay Avenue in El Cercado de Lima.

Currently, 11 persons who were arrested in flagrante, that is, at the scene of the crime, are being investigated and who would be linked to the damage caused to these entities and other premises close to the protest area. They are charged with the alleged commission of the crimes of aggravated damage and disturbance, as well as aggravated theft.

As part of the first actions, the public prosecutors of the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Judiciary, witnesses and the urgent conduct of the investigations of the damage caused were carried out. This will be carried out by the prosecutors and criminology experts of the National Police.

A report has also been requested from the Public Security Department of the Metropolitan Municipality of Lima and private entities. Security cameras will be recorded in the areas where these events have occurred in order, if any, for the recording of these footage to be sent; among other measures relevant to the investigation.

PRESIDENT OF THE JUDICIARY ARGUES THAT IT WAS A PREMEDITATED ATTACK

The president of the judiciary, Elvia Barrios, said that the damage caused to the premises of the state body was premeditated. Thus, he stressed that the attackers used bars and spears to enter the different areas, including those that are difficult to access.

Barrios pointed out that open drawers with scrambled documentation were found in the Family Room. That would be the reason why he suspects that those who entered this space were looking for something specific.

“We were struck by the fact that they entered the Family Room and opened drawers as if in search of something. They have broken doors that are difficult to do it manually,” he stressed to the press at the scene.

He also stated that a preliminary balance sheet had identified the theft of computers, printers, microwaves and other equipment.

THE ATTACK OF APRIL 5TH

It is recalled that these events were triggered in the midst of demonstrations against the government of Pedro Castillo. During these protests, looting was carried out in different parts of downtown Lima. Such is the case of the headquarters of the High Court of Justice, which suffered the attack of vandals and the theft of computers, extinguishers, furniture, ventilators and even medicines from a medicine cabinet.

At first, it was only known that the façade of the premises, located at the crossroads of Abancay avenues with Nicolás de Piérola, had been destroyed with stones and sticks. However, minutes later, members of the Peruvian National Police warned that a group of protesters had entered the establishment and had destroyed the halls.

According to a PTR report, the protesters first smashed the gate of the place, then attacked the security guards and broke into the judicial headquarters. PNP agents used tear gas bombs to dispel the subjects, but failed to remove them.