The First Supraprovincial Prosecutor’s Office Specialized in Human Rights of Junín requested 18 months of preventive detention for the eight soldiers investigated for the alleged crime of qualified homicide in offense of five civilians.
According to the prosecution, the defendants, members of the Peruvian Army (EP), had engaged in disproportionate use of force during an anti-drug operation in the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene and Mantaro Rivers (Vraem).
Likewise, the soldiers are charged with the crime of attempted homicide to the detriment of three other surviving citizens. The incident was initially reported as a confrontation against alleged criminals involved in illegal activities.
The soldiers investigated have been identified as Luis Montenegro, Brayan Fernández, Douglas Villacorta, Edilberto Marcos, Andy Sánchez, Jorge Aguilar, Américo Vásquez and Fernando Córdova.
READ MORE: Vraem: Joint Command indicates that a military patrol was attacked and acted in legitimate defense
As recalled, the victims were intercepted on the Colcabamba-Ayacucho highway on April 25, during an operation in the province of Tayacaja, in Huancavelica, which left two other people injured.
However, initial investigations suggest that there was excessive use of force in an attack on a van with civilians on board.
READ MORE: Huancavelica: eight soldiers remain detained after an operation that left five dead and two injured
According to RPP, no firearms or illicit substances were found in the vehicle attacked by the uniformed officers. In addition, witnesses indicate that the occupants of the truck were unarmed at the time of the attack.
According to the version of the detained soldiers, they shot at the vehicle when it continued moving despite being ordered to stop and, instead, its passengers began to shoot at them.
READ MORE: Vraem: Operation against drug trafficking leaves five dead in Huancavelica
The fatalities were identified as Wilmer Romero, Jaime Bendezú Paraguay, Cristian Vilcatoma Águila, William Núñez Soto and the Colombian citizen Nilsson Eduardo Montenegro.
According to RPP, the testimony of Jonathan Águila Gutiérrez is kept confidential, while citizens Ever Soto Quispe and Ricardo Acuña did not appear to testify before the authorities.
