Garcia Declares 95 Police Arrested for Summary Executions at Lurigancho Prison
President Garcia announces the initial findings of the investigation into the Lurigancho prison riots, noting that the police had summarily executed 30-40 prisoners after the prisoners had surrendered. The Embassy warns that in comparison to previous human rights investigations into the Accomarca and Pucayacu massacres, this time “it may be difficult for Garcia to control the process he has set in motion.” The cable also questions how the police alone could have engaged in executions in an army-directed operation without the army also sharing the blame, and warns that Garcia will “have his hands full trying to avoid image that he is engaging in transparent scapegoating of police to avoid confrontation with military.”