Peru Supreme Court Upholds Extended Pretrial Detention for Ex-President Castillo

Peru's Supreme Court has confirmed a 12-month extension to the pretrial detention of former President Pedro Castillo, who is already serving an 11-year and 5-month sentence for his failed coup attempt. The extended detention pertains to separate charges of aggravated criminal organization, influence peddling, and collusion during his term.

The Permanent Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled that Castillo's ties to his home are uncertain, and the risk of him fleeing justice remains significant and heightened. Judges pointed to indications of Castillo seeking political asylum and the potential for him to evade justice, especially given his family's asylum in Mexico.

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his ties to his home are uncertain and the risk of flight of the investigated is 'current' and 'aggravated'.

This decision effectively denies the defense's appeal to invalidate the extended detention. The corruption case under investigation is highly complex, encompassing a broad scheme involving more than 90 defendants and requiring the review of technical records from various municipalities across the country. The probe includes alleged illicit activities during Castillo's presidency, such as irregularities in the purchase of biodiesel by the state oil company Petroperú, alleged bribes in the bidding for the Tarata III Bridge, and the issuance of a decree that may have prioritized certain municipal projects.

The extended pretrial detention is effective from March 9, 2026, to March 8, 2027. The Public Ministry has yet to formalize its charges against Castillo, whom it accuses of leading a vertical and pyramidal criminal organization operating from the executive branch. Consequently, the potential sentence Castillo faces remains unknown. He was detained on December 7, 2022, after his attempted coup. Castillo is currently held at the Barbadillo prison, often referred to as the 'presidents' prison,' which also houses former leaders Alejandro Toledo, Ollanta Humala, and Martín Vizcarra.

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a possible evasion of justice given the facilities of foreign support