Peru's Financial Intelligence Unit (UIF) never reported suspicious operations between President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and corruption-tainted conglomerate Odebrecht, its head Sergio Espinosa affirmed.
"My concern is that this not be interpreted in the way it seemingly has been, which is that the UIF report concludes there were suspicious operations on the part of an individual, namely President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski," he told Canal N news station.
The UIF chief went on to reiterate such implication is "not true, since that was not contained in the report."
Remarks came after a story by foreign La Mira TV show, which suggested the Head of State might be included in a list of persons recording suspicious Odebrecht-related bank transfers.
In this sense, Espinosa noted the said media outlet mixed a UIF report with one of Banco de Credito del Peru (BCP) bank and concluded the Brazilian firm had allegedly made illegal payments to the statesman.
He explained the UIF report in question was addressed to Congress' Lava Jato ('Carwash') Commission 2011-2016, led by former legislator Juan Pari.
The document included information on 70 persons, only 5 of whom recorded suspicious transactions.
Congress had, in parallel, requested the removal of bank secrecy for the said 70 individuals. Such information is disclosed to the commission rather than UIF.
Espinosa thus emphasized they are two different documents, one being the UIF report and —the other one— the bank secrecy removal, which "does not mean they are suspected of anything."
"The report mixes up both things saying that information is part of our report, thus completely distorting the point of our job," he pointed out.
(END) JCB/SMA/DHT/MVB