A policeman on patrol Monday night in the Peruvian town of Juliaca, site of recent clashes between security forces and protesters demanding the release of former president Pedro Castillo, was attacked and burned alive by demonstrators as the death toll rose to at least 47 since the beginning of the protests: the international media report it.
29-year-old José Luis Soncco Quispe was on patrol with a colleague on Monday evening when their car was attacked by a mob who then set the vehicle on fire, police said.
According to Soncco's colleague, Ronald Villasante Toque, the two were "restrained and physically attacked by some 350 protesters": Villasante was taken to a hospital in Lima with multiple head wounds, while Soncco died at the scene.
Prime Minister Alberto Otárola confirmed the officer's death, saying the man "was burned alive in his patrol car".
Meanwhile, Peru's ombudsman office said 39 civilians had been killed in clashes with police and seven more in road accidents since the protests began last month, in addition to the officer killed on Monday.
