News from Lori's Parents
23 November 2004
In this update:Lori's case to be reviewed in Inter-American Court amid Peruvian Uproar
Since last Friday more than 100 articles have appeared in Peruvian newspapers, magazines and wire-services about Lori's case which continues to be politically sensationalized. The case will be reviewed by the Inter-American Court Wednesday and Thursday, the 24th and 25th of November.
On Saturday, November 20th, Perú's foreign minister, Manuel Rodriguez Cuadros, made the shocking statement that if the Inter-American Court of Human Rights were to rule to free Lori the government of Perú would simply ignore the Inter-American Court. Fortunately, President Alejandro Toledo set the record straight by saying he will make no decision on Lori's situation until he reads and discusses the rulings that are expected shortly from the Inter-American Court.
Also on Saturday, November 20th, Guillermo Cabala, Perú's chief prosecutor for terrorism stated that "Lori Berenson is not a terrorist. She has not committed terrorist acts." Mr. Cabala knows Lori's case quite well. He was the president of Perú's Supreme Appeals Court that, in February 2002, reviewed and sustained the conviction and 20-year sentence against Lori. However, the vote was 4 to 1 and it was ex-chief judge Cabala who wrote the lone dissenting opinion, opining that, at most, Lori should have been convicted of illicit association.
We will keep you informed as new information becomes available.