Thieves may get life in prison for stealing cellphone under Peru's new law

The initial penalty for stealing a cellphone in Peru will be 12 years in prison under the country's new law
By The Associated Press • Published 34 mins ago

Peru's government will impose harsh penalties for tha ose who steal a cellphone, including life in prison if a robber kills someone while stealing their mobile device.

The changes to the country's penal code, approved recently in Congress, went into effect Thursday.

Peru's penal code did not include prison time for stealing cellphones, but authorities say they decided to revisit the law after they saw an increasing rate of theft of mobile devices throughout the country.

During the first nine months of 2023, about 1.2 million cellphones were reported stolen in Peru, according to the country's telecommunication authority. That is more than 4,000 devices a day.

More:
https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/national-international/thieves-may-get-life-in-prison-for-stealing-cellphone-under-perus-new-law/3128654/

(Peru has been controlled by a hard right congress forever, seemingly. Extremely racist. )