Former PNP chief investigated over 2023 protest deaths dies at 60
Raúl Alfaro, former general commander of the PNP, died at the age of 60. He was under investigation for qualified homicide in connection with deaths during protests against Boluarte.
Raúl Alfaro, former PNP commander accused over protest deaths, dies
The former general commander of Peru's National Police (PNP), Raúl Alfaro, died at the age of 60, according to notimerica.com. Alfaro headed the institution between August 2022 and March 2023, after being appointed to the post by then-president Pedro Castillo.
Months after taking command, Alfaro ordered an arrest warrant against Castillo himself, following the attempted coup d'état perpetrated by the former president on 7 December 2022.
His testimony at the trial against Castillo
During the conspiracy trial against Castillo, Alfaro testified that the president had asked him to close Congress and remove personnel from the institution. In his own words, Castillo gave him the following instructions: "General, close Congress, get everyone out, do not allow anyone to enter, take action against the National Prosecutor and provide security to the residence of Aníbal Torres, Premier Chávez and their parents' residence".
Alfaro recounted that in response to these orders he asked the reason, and Castillo replied that the details would be provided by then-minister Willy Huerta. The former commander stated that he considered the president's decision to be wrong and that he proceeded to order his arrest for being caught in the act.
Investigated for qualified homicide
Alfaro also faced criminal investigation over deaths recorded during protests against president Dina Boluarte in the first months of 2023. The Specialised Supraprovincial Corporate Public Prosecutor's Office for Human Rights and Against Terrorism filed charges against him for the alleged crime of qualified homicide with premeditation against Denilson Huaraca.
For that charge, the Public Prosecutor's Office sought 35 years' effective imprisonment for Alfaro. The charge also included then-lieutenant general PNP (r) Jorge Angulo.
Press records indicate that Alfaro was summoned before the Public Prosecutor's Office to answer questions about the killings committed during the social protests of December 2022 and January 2023, although he chose not to make a statement at that hearing.
Source: Google News PE — Crime