Peru tries 29 military for 1985 massacre

[Judi Lynn]

Peru tries 29 military for 1985 massacre
Published on 4 November 2010 - 11:49pm

A former army lieutenant nicknamed the "Butcher of the Andes" and 28 other ex-soldiers went on trial in Lima for their alleged role in the 1985 massacre of 69 villagers, mostly women and children, in southern Peru.

The trial began on Thursday despite a strike by court workers and dueling demonstrations outside the courthouse by families of the victims of the massacre and of the troops who allegedly carried it out.

Former lieutenant Telmo Hurtado is accused of leading a column of troops into the mountain village of Accomarca on August 14, 1985, and ordering the execution of 69 people, including 30 children and 27 women who previously had been raped.

The mass execution is considered one of the worst crimes against humanity committed during Peru's nationwide crackdown on the leftist Shining Path and Tupac Amaru rebel groups. It took place less than a month after President Alan Garcia took office for the first time and Hurtado was later promoted up the ranks to major, despite his notoriety as the "Butcher of the Andes."

More:
http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/peru-tries-29-military-1985-massacre