THE Supreme Court of Peru decided to extend ousted president Pedro Castillo’s pre-trial detention to 36 months on Thursday.

President Castillo was removed in a coup in December led by Congress and his vice president Dina Boluarte. He was then arrested and charged with rebellion and corruption.

Mr Castillo has been in detention ever since.

Ms Boluarte was appointed by the Congress to take over the presidency.

Prosecutors have now charged Mr Castillo with being the leader of a criminal organisation, collusion and selling influence.

Juan Carlos Checkley, who leads the Supreme Court investigation, ordered the three-year pre-trial detention.  

Authorities allege that Mr Castillo was involved in influence peddling state-owned oil company Petroperu, as well as several other government ministries.

The judge also ordered a 36-month pre-trial detention for former transportation minister Juan Silva Villegas.

Since winning the presidency in July 2021 Mr Castillo has faced constant harassment by political opponents, who immediately began corruption investigations against the former teacher and union leader.

The coup sparked mass nationwide protests that have left at least 54 people dead and some 600 injured.

Protesters have demanded the resignation of Ms Boluarte, immediate elections, a new constitution and the dissolution of parliament.

Ms Boluarte has called on Congress to bring forward elections but parliament rejected the proposal.

Demonstrations against her rule have been fiercest in poor southern regions with large indigenous populations who view Mr Castillo as one of their own.

Speaking at a virtual hearing Mr Castillo said he would appeal the ruling.

“I strongly and categorically deny being responsible for and part of a criminal network,” he said.

“The only crime I committed was serving my country as president of the republic.”