Peru: Keiko Fujimori to remain silent, refuses to talk with prosecutor

11:31 | Lima, Mar. 18.

Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori on Monday informed she would remain silent and would not make any statements to Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez.

Prosecutor Perez arrived at the women's prison in Lima to interrogate her, within the framework of the case involving alleged illegal contributions made by Odebrecht to Fuerza Popular party for Fujimori's 2011 presidential campaign.

On this occasion, she refused to make any further statements before the prosecutor by claiming her right to remain silent.

Once the audience came to an end, Prosecutor Perez was assaulted by Fujimori's supporters gathered outside the prison facility.

Preciso instante en que agreden a fiscal José Domingo Pérez con una botella de gaseosa (Video: @noticias_tvperu ) https://t.co/PlRr7WCcXK pic.twitter.com/Bwac7dyLsF
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) 18 de marzo de 2019

It should be noted she continues serving 36-month preventive detention.

Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho ordered the preventive detention of Keiko Fujimori over alleged money laundering charges in October last year.

The judge considered the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori posed a high risk of flight, plus this measure would prevent disruptions to the probe.

The Judicial Branch had also declared well-founded the request made by the Prosecutor's Office to imprison Fujimori because of the danger of obstruction of justice that implied keeping her free.

The magistrate said there is serious suspicion that Fuerza Popular leader Fujimori had allegedly participated in money laundering offenses, as the head of a criminal organization within the party.

Additionally, Concepcion Carhuancho confirmed there is a high degree of probability that Odebrecht had paid US$1 million to Keiko Fujimori's 2011 campaign through fake donors and unjustified activities.

The magistrate pointed out the money came from the Division of Structured Operations —the Brazilian company's bribery department. Thus, the assets —intended for the campaign— were illegal and derived from unaccounted payments.

Likewise, this affirmation was supported by former Odebrecht executives' statements given to the authorities through plea bargain deals.

Odebrecht

In mid-February, Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group signed the long-awaited collaboration agreement with Odebrecht representatives and former employees in Brazil.

This deal is intended to procure evidence and testimonies for the investigation of corruption cases in the Andean nation.

As is known, the Brazilian construction giant admitted to having paid millions in bribes to government officials in Peru, in order to secure public-works contracts.

As a result, Odebrecht benefited from over US$143 million between 2005 and 2014 in Peru, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

In addition, four ex-Presidents have been linked to the Brazilian company such as: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (2006-2011), Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018).

Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori —currently under preventive detention— also allegedly received money from Odebrecht for her 2011 campaign.

Odebrecht will pay S/610 million (around US$182 million) —plus interests that may arise— in civil reparations to the Peruvian State over a period of 15 years as part of this agreement.

(END) CVC/CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 3/18/2019

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