Peruvian ex-soldiers accused of 'systematic' rape
Peruvian ex-soldiers accused of 'systematic' rape
Date created : 28/03/2019 - 03:28
Lima (AFP)
A Peruvian judge said Wednesday that soldiers had committed crimes against humanity by "systematically" raping nine female farmers between 1984 and 1995 during the conflict with the Shining Path guerrillas.
"Because this is a crime against humanity, the trial will take place in public hearings," Judge Edhin Campos said.
Fourteen non-commissioned officers who are now retired were accused of having repeatedly raped nine women in the Andean region of Huancavelica, one of Peru's poorest, during the bloodiest period of the conflict between the military and the Maoist guerrillas.
"It's a historic decision... We are not talking about isolated instances of rape but systematic rape on military bases," said Juan Jose Quispe, an attorney for six of the victims.
"We are now waiting for the trial to take place within two years and for those responsible to face the law and be sentenced."
Prosecutors said that several of the women became pregnant as a result of the rapes, and more women likely were raped, but some are afraid to speak up about the crimes.
Five of the women got pregnant and were "scarred for life because they were very young when the events took place," said lawyer Cynthia Silva of the Demus rights group.
More:
https://www.france24.com/en/20190328-peruvian-ex-soldiers-accused-systematic-rape