The decision comes after Castillo’s failed 2022 bid to dissolve Congress and avoid a third impeachment attempt.
The decision Thursday came nearly three years after Castillo sought to dissolve the legislature on Dec. 7, 2022, as he faces a third set of impeachment hearings.
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The first two attempts to impeach Castillo were unsuccessful. But when he appeared on television to suspend the legislature for imposing emergency and destroying the rule of law, Congress immediately voted to remove him. He was arrested the same day.
Castillo, a former teacher and union leader, was charged with rebellion and conspiracy against the state for allegedly seizing power, which some have described as a “self-coup”.
Castillo, a left-leaning, socially conservative politician from Peru’s rural north, faced up to 34 years in prison at his sentencing.
Prosecutors in the case argued that Castillo intended to undermine Peru’s Constitution by his actions. But during a hearing last week, Castillo denied the allegations against him. Addressing his televised 2022 speech, he said he only read “a document without results”.
Castillo is part of a series of presidents to face investigation and criminal charges in Peru in recent decades. There have been eight Presidents in the country in the last 10 years alone.
Following his surprise victory in the 2021 presidential election, Castillo, now 56, was dubbed the country’s first “president of the poor” because of his working-class roots in the northern city of Puna. He had never held elected office before.
His brief tenure, which lasted about 16 months, was defined by frequent changes among his top ministers and clashes with the opposition-led Congress.
Castillo’s arrest in 2022 sparked outrage among indigenous residents and his rural base, with members blocking roads, especially in Peru’s south.
The unrest sparked widespread, years-long protests across the country. His successor, former Vice President Dina Bolourt, led a brutal crackdown on the demonstrations, killing at least 50 people.
The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has accused the government of using “disproportionate, indiscriminate and lethal force” in response to the protests.
Bolluarte, the country’s first female president, was impeached in October amid concerns about rising crime and scrutiny of her behavior. He has been replaced by right-wing politician José Jarry, who previously headed the Peruvian Congress.
Thursday’s sentencing followed a nine-month trial beset by diplomatic disagreements.
During the court proceedings, the Mexican Embassy granted asylum to Castillo’s former prime minister, Betsy Chavel, who also faces charges related to the former president’s attempt to consolidate power.
The Peruvian government later declared Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, a vocal supporter of Castillo, “persona non grata”.
Castillo has been denied the possibility of serving his sentence under house arrest. Instead, he is expected to join several other former presidents in prison in Barbadillo prison in the capital Lima. The prison, located at the Police Academy, was established to house convicted politicians who may face security threats in other detention facilities.
Detainees in Barbadillo include Ollanta Humala, who served as president from 2011 to 2016 and was sentenced this year to 15 years in prison for money laundering.
Alejandro Toledo, who served from 2001 to 2006, was sentenced last year to 20 years in prison for bribery. He is also in jail.
And Martin Vizcarra, who was sentenced Wednesday to 14 years in prison for bribery, was transferred there this week.
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