Berenson, Lori (1969–)

American journalist Lori Berenson is currently in prison in Peru for alleged terrorist activity, in association with the guerrilla organization known as the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (Movimiento Revolucionario Tupac Amaru; MRTA). While others believe Berenson to be a political prisoner, her contact and association with members of the MRTA led a military tribunal to sentence her to life in prison for treason.

Born and raised in New York City, Berenson attended college at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). In 1992, she moved to El Salvador as their civil war was winding down. She became a secretary to a top leader of the group rebelling against the government, the FMLN, as the two sides worked toward peace.

In 1994, Berenson moved to Lima, Peru. She lived in a large house with many others in the middle-class neighborhood of La Molina. In November 1995, Peruvian police raided the house [Page 71]and found a supply of hidden weapons and evidence of terrorist activity. Several of the residents, including Berenson, were arrested for being alleged members of the Marxist guerrilla organization, MRTA. The La Molina house was thought to be the MRTA headquarters where an attack on the Peruvian Congress was being planned. Berenson is alleged to have provided the layout of the Congressional building to the MRTA. On January 11, 1996, she was convicted of treason by a panel of hooded judges in a military tribunal for her participation in the plot. In trials involving terrorists in Peru, the judges will veil their identity because they fear reprisals from the supporting terrorist organization.

The manner in which Berenson was convicted is very controversial. She was not allowed a jury or a personal statement, and her lawyer was not allowed to cross-examine any of the prosecution's witnesses or see their evidence. A trial that lasted only minutes found the 26-year-old sentenced to life in prison. With her parents' support, Berenson began the appeals process. She continues to maintain her innocence, claiming that she did not know her housemates were involved in the MRTA, nor did she have any knowledge of the activities that were taking place on the floors above her room.

In March 2000, the Peruvian government agreed to set aside the life sentence and to retry Berenson in a civilian court. However, the retrial convicted Berenson of aiding the plot against the Congress by providing the layout of the building, helping to secure weapons, and renting her house to MRTA members. She was sentenced to 20 years in prison in June 2001, five of which she has already completed.

The debate over Berenson's role in the MRTA and her innocence continues. Her parents have retired as professors to devote their time to lobbying for her release, and she has many support groups in the United States that are also striving for her release. Berenson has since begun another appeals process.