Peruvian Court Convicts Four in Indigenous Leader’s Murder
In a landmark ruling, a Peruvian court has sentenced four men to significant prison terms for their roles in the assassination of Quinto Inuma Alvarado, a prominent Indigenous rainforest defender. The sentences, ranging from 15 to 35 years, were delivered on Monday evening and mark a critical moment in the pursuit of justice for violence against Indigenous and environmental activists in the Amazon.
Genix Saboya Saboya and Limber Ríos Ruiz received the longest sentences at 35 years each. Segundo Juan Villalobos Guevara, a timber operator accused of orchestrating Inuma’s murder, was sentenced to 28 years and four months, while Jerly Saboya Saboya, an accomplice, was given a 15-year sentence.
Inuma, a 50-year-old Kichwa leader, was tragically killed on November 29, 2023, while returning by boat to his community, Santa Rosillo de Yanayacu, after attending a national meeting of environmental defenders in Peru’s northern Amazon region of San Martin. The attack also left a woman traveling with him injured.
Decisive Step Towards Justice
The court’s decision came nearly 1,000 days post Inuma’s murder. Tom Younger, the Peru program coordinator at the Forest Peoples Programme, hailed the verdict as a “decisive step towards justice,” emphasizing that it demonstrates impunity for such crimes is not a foregone conclusion. Prosecutors alleged that Inuma was targeted due to his opposition to illegal logging activities on his community’s lands, accusing Villalobos of ordering the assassination.
Cristina Gavancho, a lawyer from Lima’s Legal Defense Institute, praised the ruling as an “exemplary sentence,” suggesting it might set a precedent for other cases involving environmental defenders in Peru. She noted it as the first instance of its kind in Peru where such severe penalties were imposed.
Warnings Ignored
The trial, which commenced on January 20, spanned nearly eight months, with judges even traveling to the Amazonian city of Tarapoto in March for hearings. Inuma had long been vocal about the threats posed by illegal logging, drug trafficking, and land encroachment. From 2016 to 2023, the Santa Rosillo de Yanayacu community lodged 13 complaints regarding environmental and drug-related offenses, as reported by the Legal Defense Institute.
Despite being classified at high risk by Peru’s Justice Ministry in 2021 and receiving protective measures, logistical challenges hindered the police’s ability to provide effective security. Inuma’s son, Kevin Arnol Inuma, expressed both relief and sorrow at the verdict, reflecting on the lengthy wait for justice.
Continued Threats to Indigenous Leaders
The murder of Inuma underscores the ongoing dangers faced by Indigenous communities in Peru’s Amazon, where illegal activities continue to threaten their territories. Just a day before the verdict, Américo Pascuala Tomisha, another Indigenous leader, was killed in the Ucayali region, highlighting the persistent risks.
Pascuala, a 57-year-old Ashéninka leader, was reportedly shot while confronting individuals illegally extracting resources from his community’s land. The regional Indigenous organization ORAU called for a thorough investigation and heightened protection for Indigenous leaders in light of his murder.
Compensation and Ongoing Concerns
In addition to the prison sentences, the court ordered compensation of 750,000 soles (about $223,500) to Inuma’s heirs and 250,000 soles (about $74,500) to Axeldina Barbarán Tapullima, who survived the attack. However, this compensation is contingent upon the finalization of the ruling, which is subject to appeal.
Gavancho emphasized the significance of the compensation, viewing it as a potential model for how future cases could be handled. Despite the court’s decision, Inuma’s family remains concerned about their safety, particularly if the convicted individuals are released.
Kevin Arnol Inuma reflected on his father’s legacy of protecting their ancestral land, acknowledging that the responsibility now lies with his family and community. He expressed hope for quicker resolutions in future cases, allowing families of other defenders to achieve justice more swiftly.
