In Peru, the American activist Lori Berenson appeared in court Monday and pleaded with judges to let her stay out of jail on parole. In May, Berenson was freed on parole after serving nearly fifteen years of her twenty-year sentence. Berenson had been convicted in 1996 by hooded Peruvian military judges of collaborating with the rebel group, the Túpac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, or MRTA. During her court appearance on Monday, Berenson acknowledged having ties to the rebel group but said she was never a member of the group nor involved in violent acts.

Lori Berenson: “If my participation contributed to societal violence, I am very sorry for this. If my coming to Peru has meant more harm to the country, I am very sorry for this. And those who are affected by my words or actions, I ask for their forgiveness.”

Peru’s top anti-terrorism prosecutor, Julio Galindo, asked the court to send her back to prison to finish her jail sentence.

Julio Galindo: “All terrorists, or at least those sentenced for terrorism, have a developed criteria with a personal context. They continue coordinating with terrorists. They continue collaborating. There is no variation there. So all of these regrets is merely a natural response that they use as a strategy.”

Lori Berenson went on to tell the court she poses no threat to society and simply wants to focus on raising her son. She has asked for her sentence to be commuted so she and her son can go to the United States to seek medical treatment.

Lori Berenson: “I lament the repercussions that my parole has had on society. This has always been a media case, since I was detained. The truth is, despite how it hurts me, I accept that I have been ostracized, but according to the law and based on my behavior, I do not represent a danger for anyone.”