Abuses in the Andes
Seven women kidnapped and flogged in Peru as “witches”.
In a remote Peruvian Andean village, seven women have been kidnapped and flogged on charges of “witchcraft”.
Published: 2:09 am
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Updated: 2:11 am
Medieval abuse in the South American Andes: In a remote Peruvian village, seven women were kidnapped and flogged on charges of «witchcraft».
Peasant patrols captured the women in Chillia in late June and held them for two weeks. This came after residents of the village fell ill or died, the Peruvian prosecutor’s office and human rights ombudsman Eliana Revollar said on Tuesday. Investigations have been launched.
Hanged up, interrogated naked
The Peruvian authorities became aware of the case when a video of the mistreatment appeared on online networks. This showed how one of the women was hung up by one foot and whipped. Another was interrogated naked.
After the government intervened, the women were released. According to media reports, they are between 43 and 70 years old. A man was also arrested by the peasant patrol. But there was no evidence that he was abused.
Peasant patrols were introduced to Peru more than four decades ago, initially to prevent cattle rustling. They now act as a sort of law enforcement agency in parts of rural Peru. (SDA)