Peruvian Ex-Police Officer Sentenced to 35 Years for Sub-Officer’s Murder During 2023 Protests
The Sala Penal de Apelaciones de Juliaca has confirmed a 35-year prison sentence against a former police officer convicted of the murder of sub-officer José Luis Soncco during anti-government protests in Peru in January 2023. The ruling, formalized under sentence number 08-2026, ratifies the conviction of Erusbel Apaza, according to a statement from the Peruvian National Police (PNP).
Initial reports in January 2023 indicated that Soncco died after being burned inside his patrol car when protesters set it ablaze during social unrest. However, investigations later revealed that Apaza had assaulted the sub-officer, and Soncco likely died from a head injury sustained *before* the vehicle was set on fire.
General Óscar Arriola of the PNP explained in March 2023, during the arrest of three suspects in the case, that Apaza had been discharged from the PNP in 2020 due to disciplinary measures. Apaza was also found guilty of aggravated disturbance of the peace and the theft of a firearm – Soncco’s weapon was discovered at Apaza’s home upon his arrest. Authorities also found ammunition and cash at the former officer’s residence at the time of his detention, Arriola confirmed in March 2023.
Police Celebrate Ruling as a Precedent for Protecting Authority
The PNP released a statement on social media on Saturday, February 14, 2026, regarding the appellate court’s decision. The sentence includes a 35-year prison term and a civil penalty. “When a police officer is attacked, the State is attacked,” the PNP stated. “This ruling not only punishes a crime, but sets a historic precedent in the defense of authority, confirming responsibility for the crimes of aggravated disturbance of the peace and theft or snatching of a firearm.”
The court also ordered Apaza to pay 180,000 soles (approximately $53,700 USD or roughly $49 million) in civil damages to the police officer’s family, and an additional 25,000 soles (approximately $6,400 USD) to the State.
The PNP reiterated its stance that “collective violence is not protest,” emphasizing that attacks on law enforcement will not go unpunished and that the life of a police officer must be respected. The statement was accompanied by a post on X (formerly Twitter).
🚨🇵🇪 𝐂𝐮𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐨 𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐚 𝐚 𝐮𝐧 𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜í𝐚, 𝐬𝐞 𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐚 𝐚𝐥 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐝𝐨 🇵🇪🚨
Mediante la sentencia firme N.° 08-2026, la Sala Penal de Apelaciones de Juliaca confirmó 35 años de prisión efectiva contra el responsable de los hechos que acabaron con la vida de… pic.twitter.com/PIkeguGZiZ
— Policía Nacional del Perú (@PoliciaPeru) February 14, 2026
The sentencing comes after a period of intense social and political upheaval in Peru. During the anti-government protests that took place from late 2022 through early 2023, demanding the resignation of then-President Dina Boluarte (who served from 2022-2025) and the dissolution of Congress, 49 people died as a result of the repression of the demonstrations.
