Peruvian ex-minister charged with journalist's murder

As Interior Minister, Daniel Urresti was one of Peru's most popular political figures

A prosecutor in Peru is seeking a 25-year prison term for a former minister accused of ordering the murder of a journalist in November 1988.

Daniel Urresti, a former army general, says he is innocent and the accusation against him is politically motivated.

Hugo Bustios had been investigating human rights abuses in the Peruvian highlands when he was killed.

Two former soldiers were convicted of his murder. One of them accused Mr Urresti of involvement.

Mr Bustios was a correspondent for the national magazine Caretas in the highland town of Huanta, the centre for the guerrilla war between government forces and Shining Path rebels.

He was shot and then killed by a grenade in November 1988 while investigating abuses committed by both sides.

Mr Urresti says he is innocent and suggested the charges could be politically motivated.

President Ollanta Humala, himself a retired army lieutenant colonel noted publicly that the charges were announced less than a week after Mr Urresti joined the governing Nationalist Party.

Mr Urresti was one of the government's most popular ministers until he stood down last month and is expected to stand in the presidential elections in 2016.