Peru investigates the illicit recruitment of citizens for the conflict in Ukraine
The Public Ministry of Peru has intensified its efforts to clarify the situation of more than 300 Peruvian citizens who were allegedly recruited by Russia under false pretenses to fight in the war against Ukraine. Currently, the Prosecutor’s Office has 22 open judicial files with the aim of dismantling the networks responsible for this irregular transfer.
Details of ongoing investigations
Senior Prosecutor Rocío Gala Gálvez, who leads the national coordination of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Offices for Human Trafficking Crimes, recently met with the families of those affected to present a progress report. According to official information, the investigations have been structured as follows:
- A main file grouping the cases of 202 people, under the supervision of the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office against Organized Crime.
- 21 additional folders managed by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Offices for Human Trafficking Crimes.
The operations and complaints have been recorded in various areas of the national territory, including Lima, Callao, La Libertad, Huánuco, and Cusco. As part of the commitments made, the authorities have established a constant communication channel with the relatives to keep them informed of the proceedings carried out in conjunction with the National Police.
The Prosecutor’s Office investigations seek to determine the precise circumstances under which the recruitment and transfer of the Peruvian citizens to the war front took place.
Worrying figures about those recruited
Data provided by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs last August revealed an alarming reality. It is estimated that at least 459 Peruvians were recruited through false promises to join Russian ranks. The toll of the victims is as follows:
- 11 citizens deceased after their transfer to Russian territory.
- 114 people reported as missing.
- 3 citizens who are currently held as prisoners in Ukraine.
Recently, Peruvian authorities managed to arrest an individual accused of recruiting and facilitating the dispatch of a compatriot to the war conflict, marking an important step in the fight against this trafficking network. Alofoke Deportes will continue to follow this case as authorities provide new official reports.
