Peru: arrest warrants for military commandos

The Peruvian Government has criticised an arrest warrant issued for the military officers who took part in a raid to release more than 70 hostages held at the Japanese ambassador's residence in Lima five years ago.

Defence Minister Aurelio Loret de Mola said it was unacceptable that the state would arrest those who participated in a highly-praised military operation.

Several left-wing rebels of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement MRTA were killed during the raid.

One of the hostages has alleged that at least three rebels were captured alive, raising suspicions that they were summarily executed while in custody.

The arrest warrant against 11 army officers was issued as part of an investigation into the killings.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service