Peru's top prosecutor blames President Boluarte for deaths of protesters

28/11/2023 13:30

        Peru’s attorney general on Monday blamed President Dina Boluarte and her prime minister for the deaths of "several" anti-government protesters earlier this year, and charged them with first-degree murder before the nation’s congress in a procedure known as a "constitutional complaint."
        
        A congressional committee must now review the complaint, which could lead to a trial if the charges are approved by a majority of the nation’s lawmakers.
        
        Peru's constitution protects heads of state from most criminal charges while they are still in office. This means the complaint filed Monday against Boluarte would most likely initiate a trial after she finishes her term or if she is ousted from office through other means, such as an impeachment vote.
        
        Peru has had five presidents since 2016, with none finishing their terms, and two of them impeached by the nation's powerful congress.