The arrest warrant against former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) remains in place, Judiciary Chairman Duberli Rodríguez affirmed on Sunday.
However, he said, the suspension of the provisional arrest process on Toledo —over the
Ecoteva case— will not delay the process aimed at obtaining his
extradition from the United States. The former leader is believed to be holed up in the State of California.
As is known, the ex-Head of State was indicted for money laundering in 2013 after irregular real-estate transactions through offshore firm Ecoteva —founded by his mother-in-law Eva Fernenbug— were unveiled.
Ecoteva funds were used to purchase a house and offices in Lima. Likewise, resources were used to pay off mortgages on
Toledo's estates.
In this sense, Rodriguez recalled that there is also a provisional
arrest warrant —pending on the former top official— for extradition purposes over the Odebrecht scandal.
Furthermore, the head of the Judiciary remarked that the preparatory investigation —linked to the latter case— follows its course.
Toledo - Odebrecht
Last February, Peruvian Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho issued an
18-month pre-trial detention for the former Head of State, for alleged crimes of influence peddling and money laundering. They are part of the investigation into the bribes paid by Brazilian company Odebrecht.
Toledo was accused of receiving US$20 million in bribes from the firm to secure the Inter-Oceanic Highway contract, a major infrastructure venture connecting Peru and Brazil.
The construction giant admitted to having paid millions in illegal inducements to government officials in Peru in order to secure public-works contracts.
The period in question involves the three previous presidencies: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (2006-2011) and Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), who is
currently in jail.