Lawyer for paroled US activist Lori Berenson says her release by Peru now expected Thursday

Lawyer: Peru likely to free Berenson on Thursday

LIMA, Peru — The lawyer for Lori Berenson says he expects the American activist to be released on parole from a Peruvian prison Thursday.

Berenson, a 40-year-old New Yorker, has spent 15 years in Peruvian prisons on a conviction of collaborating with leftist rebels.

Many Peruvians object to Berenson’s release, calling her a terrorist. But Peru’s president, Alan Garcia, says he respects the parole ruling by a judge Tuesday.

Berenson’s lawyer Anibal Apari, who is also her husband, says prison authorities have informed him that they expect her to be released Thursday morning.

Apari and Berenson have a 1-year-old son, Salvador, who has been living with his mother in prison.