The events of the case refer to the arbitrary arrest of María Teresa De La Cruz Flores, and her sentence for a terrorist crime without due process. The victim was arrested as she was finishing her work as a pediatrician and was prosecuted under terrorist charges by a court comprised of “faceless” judges, which sentenced her under the crime of terrorism to 20 years in prison. This all took place in a context of grave disturbance to public order in Peru.

The Court analyzed the compatibility of the sentence with the principle of legality and of freedom from ex post facto laws, and established standards regarding the duty of doctors to safeguard the confidentiality of information which they have access to in their professional practice.