ANTI-TERRORISM COURT ISSUES VERDICTS IN EL POLO

UNCLAS LIMA 003813

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PINS ASEC KJUS PE
SUBJECT: ANTI-TERRORISM COURT ISSUES VERDICTS IN EL POLO
BOMBING

REF: LIMA 3798


1. The National Anti-Terrorism Court convicted Wilbert Elqui
Meza Magino of participating in the planning of the 3/20/2002
bombing at the El Polo shopping center across the street from
the U.S. Embassy, and sentenced him to a 30-year prison term.
Seven other co-defendants were acquitted of involvement in
the El Polo bombing, but three, Lidia Vasquez Zevallos, Lucy
Romero Acosta, and Ida Lucia Mendoza Mateo were found guilty
of belonging to the Sendero Luminoso terrorist organization
and sentenced to prison terms of 20-25 years. Four of the
defendants were ordered released: Roger Torres Velasquez,
Maria Delia Marino, Giovana Anaya Nalvarte, and Dimas Pastor
Carrera.


2. COMMENT: The verdicts in the El Polo case were expected,
as judicial authorities concluded that there was insufficient
admissible evidence to link all of the defendants to the
bombing (Reftel). Despite their acquittal on the El Polo
charges, three of the defendants were proved to be important
political leaders within the remnants of Sendero Luminoso,
and will consequently serve significant prison terms. END
COMMENT.
STRUBLE