Peru leader quizzed over killings

[Judi Lynn]

Last Updated: Saturday, 10 February 2007, 02:56 GMT
Peru leader quizzed over killings

Peruvian President Alan Garcia has denied political responsibility for the killing of dozens of prisoners during a jail riot more than two decades ago.

Over 100 suspected leftist guerrillas died at El Fronton island prison near the capital, Lima, after marines were sent to put down their uprising.

The killings happened in 1986, during Mr Garcia's first term in office.
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But a lawyer for the victims' families, Carlos Rivera, said evidence showed that political and legal responsibility for the inmates' deaths lay with Mr Garcia and other top officials.

And, says the BBC's Dan Collyns in Lima, some of the military chiefs involved in the operation say the president was given regular updates on the events at the prison.
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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6349029.stm



Peru's president questioned about 1986 prison massacre
The Associated PressPublished: February 9, 2007

LIMA, Peru: Peruvian President Alan Garcia was questioned by a judge Friday about a 1986 prison massacre of 118 alleged Shining Path guerrillas during his first presidential term.

Garcia, who was re-elected last June, denied once again that he ordered the massacre. A prosecutor shelved an investigation into Garcia's role in the massacre last February.

On Friday, he was questioned as a witness for more than two hours by Judge Maria Leon to clarify testimony he had given earlier. His testimony will be used in a trial of 11 military officers accused of killing the alleged guerrillas after they surrendered during a 1986 uprising at a prison on El Fronton island.

In a news conference, Garcia said he is "sorry that certain people stop at nothing to present the state ... as a murderer."

Carlos Rivera, a lawyer for victims' families, said Garcia had made contradictory statements in his declarations Friday and added that the families hadn't ruled out presenting legal charges against Garcia "because the evidence says that he knew about what happened."
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Garcia's 1985-1990 administration coincided with some of the bloodiest years of the Shining Path insurgency.
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http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/02/10/america/LA-GEN-Peru-Prison-Massacre.php

[BayCityProgressive]

1. Garcia is a corporate

American lapdog. :puke:

[Vidar]

2. Hopefully on his way out.

[Judi Lynn]

3. Peruvian Prez Denies Responsibility for Massacre

Peruvian Prez Denies Responsibility for Massacre

Lima, Feb 9 (Prensa Latina) Peruvian President Alan Garcia repeated on Friday that he is not responsible for the massacre of 135 terrorism prisoners during his first mandate (1985-90), after testifying before a judge investigating the case.

The president, who was interrogated at closed doors by Judge Maria Leon, said that the hearing was peaceful, without any incidents or contradictions.

After the hearing, held in the building of the state-owned oil company Petroperu, the head of State noted that he is willing to testify whenever necessary, with absolute conviction, patience and serenity.

"The president is not above the law and he must ensure that the Constitution and the law are enforced," stressed Garcia.

On the other hand, he denied the veracity of statements by Attorney Carlos Rivera, who represents the families of the victims and said that there are contradictions between Garcia´s testimony and those of ex Deputy Interior Minister Agustin Mantilla and former military officers.

Mantilla was in charge of the jail-island of El Fronton in June 1986, when an inmates´ riot was repressed, and according to Rivera, he had admitted having received instructions from Garcia, who denied those accusations.
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