Joran van der Sloot, the main suspect in the 2005 disappearance of American teenager Natalee Holloway, was reportedly assaulted in a Peruvian prison over the weekend, according to his lawyer. Van der Sloot, 36, is currently held at Challapalca Maximum Security Prison in Lima, Peru, and is awaiting extradition to the United States in connection with Holloway’s disappearance during a senior trip to Aruba.
Although never formally charged with Holloway’s disappearance, the Dutch citizen has faced accusations of accepting $25,000 in payments from Holloway’s family for false information regarding the location of her remains. Additionally, he has been accused of extortion and wire fraud in the Northern District of Alabama.
Van der Sloot is serving a 28-year sentence for the murder of Stephany Flores in Lima in 2010, exactly five years after Holloway went missing. His lawyer, Maximo Altez, filed a complaint on Monday requesting improved security measures for his client following an altercation with another inmate over the weekend. Altez emphasized the need to safeguard van der Sloot’s well-being, given his high-profile status and concerns about potential violence or abuse from fellow inmates.
Altez highlighted the importance of treating all individuals, regardless of their background or crimes committed, with dignity and respect. He stressed the necessity of providing a secure and safe environment in order to promote rehabilitation and successful reintegration into society.
While van der Sloot’s alleged assault has been mentioned by his lawyer, other officials, including those from Interpol, have cautioned against jumping to conclusions until all the facts are confirmed. The matter is currently under investigation.
