Peruvian police officers sentenced for assaulting transgender woman
Three police officers in Peru have been sentenced to 17 years in prison each for assaulting a transgender woman, a case that has attracted international attention. The incident, which happened in 2008, involved the physical and sexual abuse of Azul Rojas at a police station. Following a condemnation by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights in 2020, the Peruvian government apologized and reopened the investigation. The officers were convicted and ordered to begin their sentences immediately on June 3, 2024.
What we know
- Three officers—Dino Ponce, Luis Quispe, and Juan Leon—received 17-year prison sentences for aggravated torture and sexual abuse.
- The assault took place in 2008 at a police station in northern Peru, targeting Azul Rojas due to her LGBTQ identity.
- The Inter-American Court of Human Rights criticized Peru’s response in 2020, prompting a government apology and renewed investigation.
- The trial of the officers began in January 2024, leading to their conviction and immediate imprisonment.
- The case has been seen as a significant moment for LGBTQ rights and police accountability in Peru.
