World IN BRIEF : PERU : Treason Conviction for U.S. Woman

A secret military court in Lima convicted an American woman of treason and sentenced her to life in prison without parole. Lori Berenson, 26, was convicted of helping leftist guerrillas. The prosecution had asked for 30 years, but the court gave her the maximum sentence. Police claim Berenson coordinated some activities of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement, which has bombed banks, kidnapped people and killed civilians. She was also accused of helping the group obtain arms. Her lawyers and family deny the charges. They also say Berenson can’t be tried for treason because she is not a Peruvian citizen. Her lawyer in Peru, Grimaldo Achahui, said he would appeal.