Ousted Peru President to Face 18-Month Detention

A Peruvian judge ordered ousted ex-president Pedro Castillo on Thursday to remain in custody for 18 months approving a request from authorities for time to build their rebellion case against him.

The Judge's decision came a day after the government declared a police state as it struggled to calm violent protests.

The protests erupted after Castillo was voted out of power by lawmakers following his attempt to dissolve congress ahead of an impeachment vote.

The ruling came days after congress stripped Castillo of the privilege that keeps Peru's Presidents from facing criminal charges.

Castillo and his legal team refused to participate in Thursday's virtual hearing arguing it lacked "minimum guarantees".

Meanwhile, Peru’s supreme prosecutor Alcides Chinchay said in court Thursday that Castillo faces at least 10 years in prison for the rebellion charge.