National ID Card

Regional rights court probes case of rebels killed in famed Peruvian hostage rescue

Peruvians traumatized by years of guerrilla violence cheered in 1997 when government troops raided the Japanese ambassador's residence to rescue hostages held for 126 days by leftist rebels.

The dramatic rescue, begun with a blast in a clandestinely dug tunnel that shattered a rebel soccer match, captivated the nation. For most Peruvians, the story that would inspire a best-selling U.S. novel ended when the hostages were freed.But 15 years later, and despite more than 180 hearings in three different trials before Peruvian courts, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is questioning the fate of the rebels, all 14 of whom were killed. Evidence suggests that three were summarily executed, including a 17-year-old girl, even after surrendering.One of the 72 hostages and two commandos also died in the rescue operation."Every government has punted this issue to the next government," said Gloria Cano, a human rights lawyer representing relatives of the three slain rebels from the Tupac ...

Read More ›