The Supreme Court on Tuesday approved the extradition request for former President Alejandro Toledo Manrique, who currently resides as a fugitive from Peruvian Justice in the United States and faces an 18-month pretrial detention order.
According to several media outlets, the request was unanimously approved, and it will be made official in the coming hours.
Toledo is accused of receiving 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.
It must be noted this transaction was made when he was President of Peru (2001-2006).
In this sense, the former leader is indicted on
charges of collusion, money laundering, and influence peddling.
The ex-Peruvian President —who resides in the United States— denies said charges and claims to be a victim of political persecution.
Following the Supreme Court’s approval, the
extradition request must be approved by the Council of Ministers and then submitted by the Foreign Affairs Ministry to the pertinent U.S. authorities for evaluation.
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