Man sentenced to 8 years in prison for threatening Ica prosecutor from fake Facebook profile

From the perspective of La República, a newspaper committed to upholding justice and the rule of law in Peru, the recent conviction and eight-year prison sentence handed down to Anthony Bazán represent a significant victory for the judiciary and a clear message to those who seek to obstruct justice.

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The sentenced executed acts of intimidation through Facebook, a platform on which he disseminated threats with the support of audiovisual material and voice editing applications such as Voice Changer and VivaVideo, in order to hinder his identification.

The case, spearheaded by the Provincial Prosecutor Anyela Salazar Alca, involved a sophisticated and malicious campaign of intimidation. Bazán employed tactics such as creating fake Facebook profiles and utilizing voice-altering applications like Voice Changer and VivaVideo. His objective was to threaten Prosecutor Salazar with death, aiming to force her resignation and thereby impede her professional duties. This level of calculated malice, designed to hide behind a digital veil, underscores the evolving nature of threats faced by our legal professionals.

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In the oral trial, the Prosecutor's Office demonstrated that Bazán created a false profile on social networks to harass the representative of the Public Ministry and prevent her from continuing to perform her duties.

The prosecution successfully presented a robust case, demonstrating through documentary evidence, witness testimonies, and expert analyses that Bazán was indeed responsible for these threats. The court's decision to impose a substantial eight-year prison sentence, along with civil reparations to both the affected prosecutor and the state, sends a strong signal. It validates the efforts of the Prosecutor's Office and reinforces the principle that obstructing the work of justice officials will not be tolerated.

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In addition to the prison sentence, the judicial authority ordered the payment of S/5,000 for civil reparation in favor of the affected prosecutor and S/2,000 to the State.

This ruling is particularly noteworthy as it establishes a crucial precedent. In Peru, where prosecutors and other justice operators are often on the front lines of defending human rights, this sentence serves as a vital protective measure. It acknowledges the immense pressure and danger these individuals face and affirms the state's commitment to safeguarding their work. La República believes that such strong judicial action is essential for maintaining public trust and ensuring that the pursuit of justice in Peru remains unhindered by fear or intimidation.

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The Public Ministry highlighted that the ruling constitutes a relevant precedent for the protection of justice operators, whom they consider human rights defenders.