Peru confirms existence of police death squad

By Senabri Silverstre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dom. Rep.

Authorities in Peru confirmed the existence of a police death squad composed of nine officers, and an active general, who allegedly executed 20 criminals for personal gain.

The “irregular group”, called Geico, tempered with intelligence data and carried out killings in at least six cases between 2012 and 2014, the country’s Vice Minister of the Interior Ruben Vargas said late Monday.

"We have access to classified documents that appear to make reference to a so-called special intelligence group against organized crime (Geico) … that [the group's leader] recommended moving to cities where criminal organizations are operating," he said at a news conference.

The group was composed of a commander of the National Police and seven officers under his command, who were simultaneously assigned and transferred to the same police units.

The group was allegedly created by a superior within law enforcement who was at the time colonel and now the General Terrorism Manager, Vargas added without revealing the names of the accused.

Between 2012 and 2014 the leader of the group received six awards for “distinguished actions” and a promotion from major to commander. Some of the seven other officers were also decorated during that time, an investigation revealed. The promotion and decorations were alleged proposed by the general who created Geico.

The report, prepared by a working group appointed by the interior ministry following allegations published in the media, indicated Geico prepared six cases for police interventions based on unsubstantiated facts or against individuals who did not meet certain requirements.

“At least eleven of the 20 alleged criminals killed did not even have criminal backgrounds or requisitions to justify that they be branded as target”, Vargas said.

The research group also cited with “extreme concern” an “alarming precedent” that binds the commander and a general police officer in an alleged kidnapping and extortion of a citizen in 2009.

The report's findings are based on evidence gathered by the authorities and official procedures.