13 during the days she remained in DINCOTE. She was not treated badly there, except for the first few days or during some interrogations; however, the fact that “she had no rights,” that she was obliged to affirm things that were not true, that she was threatened, that she depended on others to bathe or use the toilet was difficult; it was rather humiliating. The military trial was held on January 11, 1996, at the Chorrillos Military Base, in a type of room, like a tent, where there were several armed men in uniform. While the judgment was being read, the judges and prosecutors had their faces covered with balaclava helmets. The trial lasted “a couple of hours” and consisted merely in the reading of the judgment. At this trial she was sentenced to life imprisonment; she was not questioned; she was only asked if she would appeal the sentence. Even though her lawyer was present, she could not consult him to take the decision to appeal, although she could signal to him. While the appeal was being processed, when the alleged victim was interned in the Yanamayo Prison, three judges came to question her to process the confirmation of the appeal of her sentence. Her face was covered when she was taken to the hearing; then, during the hearing, their faces were covered. More evidence was produced at that time; for example, that the alleged victim was an arms-trafficker. The witness refused to declare, because her lawyer was not present. Even so, she was questioned for more than an hour. Mr. Achahui had been informed of the hearing to be held in Yanamayo, Puno, on the morning of that same day, when he was in Lima. Subsequently, a final appeal was filed before the Supreme Court, which was decided in April 1996. After her conviction in the military trial, Ms. Berenson was sent to the Chorrillos High-Security Women’s Prison (hereinafter “Chorrillos Women’s Prison”), where she remained for six days; from there, she was transferred to the Yanamayo Prison, where she remained for two years and nine months. In Yanamayo she was subjected to a regime of continuous isolation in her cell for a year. She was only allowed to receive visits from the United States Embassy and the Red Cross. The regime consisted in being confined for 23.5 hours every day, with half an hour “in the exercise yard,” which was extended to one hour as of the second year, with half an hour of visiting time with her direct next of kin, except during the first year of isolation, because she had been sentenced to life imprisonment. Furthermore, until 2000, she was prohibited from obtaining work or study material, access to radio, television, journals and newspapers. The cells measured two and a half square meters and did not have ventilation or natural light. In the corridor, there were openings in the wall, where natural light and air entered. During the first year, there was a serious scarcity of water. They were give a bucket with about twelve liters per person per day, which they had to use to drink, to wash clothes and utensils, and for the bathroom; the water was insufficient and the blocks had a foul smell. There was only one lamp on the ceiling of the corridor. It was very cold. The Yanamayo Prison was located at approximately 3,900 meters above sea level; water froze on the floors and, at times, there were “freezes.” The food was prepared on the basis of flour, rice or potatoes. She suffered several health problems owing to the altitude, slow digestion, unhealthy food and the cold. The problems with her sign degenerated in the