Family alleges police abuse after 25-year-old dies in Carabayllo detention

The family of Sebastián Tomás Peláez Reyes, 25, has accused police of abuse after he died following an intervention by the National Police of Peru in the Carabayllo district. His sister, Heydi Peláez, claims Sebastián was with friends drinking on Sunday morning when police pursued them. She alleges officers fired shots, and one bullet hit her brother's leg. The family states he was taken to a hospital, then a police station, and they lost contact. They report he was supposed to be transferred to another station that night, but only his friend arrived. Sebastián was found dead at a hospital the next morning, raising questions about his whereabouts for seven hours. The family demands an investigation into the circumstances of his death, suspecting mistreatment while in police custody.

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My brother arrived here and I saw him beaten. Then they took him to the police station. He was going to be transferred to the one on España Avenue and just when they were in the patrol car, I asked the police officer to give him two rehydration drinks for him and his friend.

However, the police offer a different account. General PNP Víctor Revoredo, director of Criminal Investigation, stated that Peláez and another individual were detained for alleged involvement in an armed robbery near the San Pedro cemetery, an incident that triggered a police chase in Carabayllo. Revoredo noted that both detainees had previous police records. He confirmed that investigations, including joint efforts with the Carabayllo criminal investigation unit and the detainees' defense, were underway to clarify the cause of death. The police maintain that Peláez and his companion were detained for the alleged crimes and that their backgrounds are being considered as part of the ongoing inquiry.

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In Izaguirre they told them that they had to receive both of them, but only his friend was there. They said my brother was in the hospital, but he wasn't here. He only entered today at 7 in the morning, but he already arrived dead. Where was my brother during those seven hours?