The Seventh National Preliminary Investigation Court on Wednesday ordered five months of preventive detention for former President Martin Vizcarra in the Lomas de Ilo–Moquegua Hospital case.
The former Head of State was present at the hearing held at the National Specialized Criminal Court headquarters in Lima.
Seventh Court Chair, Judge Jorge Chavez Tamariz, stated that Vizcarra had only been under simple appearance until that moment, a restrictive measure "is not sufficient to guarantee his trial."
The magistrate clarified that, with the recent enactment of Law 32130 by Congress, the rules of conduct expired, meaning "there is no rule binding him to the proceedings."
The judge added that ordering preventive detention for the former top official is reasonable to ensure he faces sentencing in the Lomas de Ilo–Moquegua Hospital case, given the level of serious suspicion and procedural risk involved.
"I order, since he (Vizcarra) is present, that he be taken to a penitentiary facility to serve this judicial mandate," Chavez Tamariz stated at the end of the hearing.
Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group member, Prosecutor German Juarez Atoche was present at the hearing. He expressed his agreement with the ruling.
Meanwhile, the former top official's lawyer, Erwin Siccha, stated that he will file an appeal.
Martin Vizcarra is under investigation for the alleged crime of passive bribery due to the purported receipt of bribes related to the awarding of contracts for the Lomas de Ilo and Moquegua Hospital projects, while serving as governor of that region (2011–2014).
As is known, Vizcarra was President of the Republic from March 23, 2018, to November 9, 2020, the day on which he was impeached and removed from office by Congress.