A trial began in Peru Wednesday of members of Amazonian indigenous communities accused of killing 18 police and civilians in their fight to be consulted over commercial use of their land.
Largely seen as a symbol of the communities' struggle against the Peruvian state to defend their territories and natural resources, 23 people will stand trial over deadly clashes that broke out in June 2009 following massive protests.
The communities, which were not consulted over decrees that paved the way for exploration and extraction projects by mining and oil firms, were demanding repeal of the measures.
Established under former president Alan Garcia, the decrees were never ultimately implemented.
Prosecutors have requested sentences of between six years and life in prison over charges of homicide, serious injury, rebellion, sedition and mutiny.
Defendants include members of the Awajun and Wampis communities, who inhabit the region 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) northeast of Lima.
Indigenous leaders Alberto Pizango, head of the AIDESEP campaign group gathering dozens of indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon, and Santiago Manuin face between 35 years and life in prison if found guilty.
The accused dressed in traditional clothes for their court appearance to hear the charges, local television showed.
Including the trial that began Wednesday, a total of 53 people are accused over clashes in 2009 that left 33 people dead -- 23 police and 10 civilians.
A trial began in Peru Wednesday of members of Amazonian indigenous communities accused of killing 18 police and civilians in their fight to be consulted over commercial use of their land.
Largely seen as a symbol of the communities’ struggle against the Peruvian state to defend their territories and natural resources, 23 people will stand trial over deadly clashes that broke out in June 2009 following massive protests.
The communities, which were not consulted over decrees that paved the way for exploration and extraction projects by mining and oil firms, were demanding repeal of the measures.
Established under former president Alan Garcia, the decrees were never ultimately implemented.
Prosecutors have requested sentences of between six years and life in prison over charges of homicide, serious injury, rebellion, sedition and mutiny.
Defendants include members of the Awajun and Wampis communities, who inhabit the region 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) northeast of Lima.
Indigenous leaders Alberto Pizango, head of the AIDESEP campaign group gathering dozens of indigenous communities in the Peruvian Amazon, and Santiago Manuin face between 35 years and life in prison if found guilty.
The accused dressed in traditional clothes for their court appearance to hear the charges, local television showed.
Including the trial that began Wednesday, a total of 53 people are accused over clashes in 2009 that left 33 people dead — 23 police and 10 civilians.
