Rebel Supports U.S. Woman at Retrial

A convicted guerrilla leader testified that Lori Berenson, an American on trial on terrorism charges, knew nothing about his rebel group’s plot to take over Peru’s Congress.

Miguel Rincon testified Thursday in Lima, the capital, during Berenson’s civilian trial on charges of aiding the plan by the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement.

Rincon said the rebels deceived Berenson into renting a house where the raid was planned. He also alleged that the key prosecution witness fabricated his testimony against Berenson.

Berenson, 31, of New York, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole by a military court in 1996 on a charge of treason. The sentence was overturned last year, and she won a civilian retrial.