Andina

Peru: Ex-President Toledo extradition file sent to U.S.

15:08 | Lima, May. 25.

Peru has submitted the ex-President Alejandro Toledo extradition file to the U.S. Department of State, the Andean country's Foreign Affairs Ministry reported Friday.

Via Twitter, the Ministry informed the request was delivered this morning at 9:00 AM.

The Peruvian Embassy in the United States asked the U.S. Department of State to submit the aforementioned file —and its corresponding translation into English— to the United States Central Authority.

This was in accordance with the Treaty on Extradition between the United States of America and the Republic of Peru.

Peru will be waiting for the evaluation of the U.S. Department of State and Department of Justice, which is mandatory before accepting the request, the Foreign Affairs Ministry informed.

The extradition appeal was made by the First Preparatory Investigation Court for alleged crimes of influence peddling, collusion, and money laundering.

Toledo is accused of allegedly having received US$20 million in bribes from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht to secure the Inter-Oceanic Highway contract, a major infrastructure venture connecting Peru and Brazil.

This transaction was made when he was President of Peru (2001-2006).  

As is known, the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office issued an 18-month pretrial detention request against him in 2017.

Last March, the Supreme Court approved the extradition request for the ex-leader and submitted the corresponding file to the Justice Ministry (Minjus).

The Extradition and Transfer of Sentenced People Commission examined the document and prepared a report, which was presented to the Executive Branch and translated into English —the United States' official language.

Judicial Branch Chairman Duberli Rodriguez said the extradition relies on a legal component, brought by justice, and a political one, that deals with international relations.

(END) RMB/MVB

Published: 5/25/2018