BUENOS AIRES — The Peruvian government's probe of an alleged security breakdown that preceded an 18-week hostage siege in Lima took an unexpected turn Tuesday with the news that one of the 19 police commanders under investigation has left the country.
Lt. Gen. Luis Malasquez of the national police was in Mexico on Tuesday, according to his daughter, Juliana. Malasquez is charged with negligence in connection with the siege at the Japanese ambassador's residence. He was scheduled to appear today before a military tribunal in Lima, the capital.
Malasquez, who was commander of the region where leftist guerrillas took over the residence Dec. 17, reportedly flew to Cancun with his wife on Sunday. His departure caused a stir when it became public.
Military prosecutors are investigating Malasquez and 18 other top police officials, including two anti-terrorist commanders who were among the 71 hostages rescued in a bold raid last month. The officials are accused of failing to beef up security in response to a report by the National Intelligence Service in November warning that the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement was planning an attack on diplomatic facilities in Lima.
