This case involves the arrest, conviction, and detention of Lori Helene Berenson Mejía, a United States citizen charged with treason for her alleged affiliation with the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Forces. On November 30, 1995, she was arrested and on March 12, 1996, she was sentenced to life imprisonment, which was later annulled by the Supreme Council of Military Justice. She was confined in the Yanamayo Prison from January 17, 1996 to October 7, 1998 (2 years, 8 months and 20 days), and during this period was subjected to inhumane detention conditions. On August 28, 2000, a new proceeding against Ms. Berenson Mejía was commenced in the ordinary criminal jurisdiction. This trial culminated in the judgment of June 20, 2001, which found Ms. Berenson Mejía guilty of the crime of “collaboration with terrorism,” and sentenced her to 20 years imprisonment. The Supreme Court of Justice of Peru confirmed the judgment on February 13, 2002. The Court found that the State violated the American Convention on Human Rights.
Case Summary: Lori Berenson Mejía v. Peru, Case Summary