A judge is reviewing a petition for release from imprisoned Shining Path terrorists founder Abimael Guzman, who argues that his rights to due process were violated, Guzman's lawyer said Friday. Eight other terrorists rebels were also on the petition. They were captured in Lima in 1992 and later sentenced to up to life in prison. But all were granted new trials last year after a court struck down some of the anti-terrorism measures under which they were convicted. But the new trials haven't started, and the terrorists guerrillas contend that the lag violates their right to due process, lawyer Manuel Fajardo told The Associated Press. Fajardo, who represents all nine terrorists rebels, said that he expects a decision from the court in about two weeks. The head of the court was unavailable Friday and his assistants said they could not comment on the case.A favorable ruling for the rebel leaders would be extremely unpopular in Peru. Guzman launched the Shining Path's armed insurgency in 1980, fighting that claimed nearly 70,000 lives over a decade and a half. | They're still dead, too, as I recall. |
President Alejandro Toledo has vowed to not let any previously sentenced terrorists walk free. |