Lori Berenson: Possibility Of Pardon Brings Hope

For the second time in five years, American social activist Lori Berenson has been convicted of terrorist collaboration in Lima, Peru. On June 20, she was sentenced to twenty years in prison, starting from the date she entered jail in 1996. The verdict was handed down by a civil court despite a lack of evidence and multiple due process violations in her trial. In 1996, Berenson was convicted of terrorism in a military court under the Fujimori-Montesinos government and given a life sentence. After serving almost five years in extremely harsh conditions, her conviction was overturned last August because of new evidence. But instead of being released she was held with no charges as the civil court case was being developed.

In the short time since Fujimori and Montesinos fled Peru in disgrace, no structural changes have been made to the justice system. Berenson's lawyer and independent legal observers documented at least twenty due process violations in the second trial.

Berenson's parents have appealed the case to the Peruvian Supreme Court. Meanwhile, they are hoping to win a pardon for their jailed daughter from Peru's new president. Mark Berenson confirmed that he and his wife, Rhoda, met with incoming president Alejandro Toledo in Lima within the last few months, and praised the new president as a thoughtful, decent man. "We're optimistic," Berenson said. "We hope he will examine the records and come to a fair decision."

For information on how to support Lori Berenson: www.freelori.org.

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Last Update: 8/1/01