Peru probes alleged executions by police

Lima: Peruvian authorities are investigating 90 police officers for alleged extrajudicial executions of suspects in the crime-plagued country, a state watchdog said Tuesday.

The interior ministry on Monday announced a probe into the alleged abuses after they surfaced in media reports.

State ombudsman Eduardo Vega called on the government to reveal details of investigations into 27 alleged killings by the national police between 2012 and 2015.

"We have been informed that more than 90 police officers are being investigated by the public prosecution service," Vega said in a letter published online.

He urged the interior ministry to "provide documented information on the case, and if appropriate, on the results of said investigation."

Media in recent days reported that police were thought to have targeted suspects in return for cash and promotions.