Andina

Peru President: Those who shielded ex-judge must be held responsible

14:31 | Lima, Oct. 18.

President Martin Vizcarra on Thursday affirmed people who protected ex-Judge Cesar Hinostroza must take responsibility for their actions.

The Head of State pointed out that Hinostroza fled the Inca country illegally, like a dangerous criminal, evading a border control point.

"We cannot take halfway measures in this regard. I've decided to accept the resignation of the interior minister," he indicated. 

He went on to say all Peruvians know who protected the perpetrators of such corrupt acts and who hindered investigations on this case.

"It seems like they had to confirm this criminal (Hinostroza) was overseas to issue the corresponding arrest warrant," the top official said. 

Remarks were made during the high-level meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Programme (LACRP) on Integrity for Good Governance.

About the Case

Cesar Hinostroza is implicated in a series of audio recordings released by Panorama TV show and investigative journalism site IDL-Reporteros.

In the conversations, the former judge offers and accepts favors to and from National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members and other officials.

On October 4, Peruvian Congress approved that Hinostroza be dismissed, banned from holding public office for 10 years, and accused of organized crime involvement.

The ex-judge left the Inca country through a border control point in the north in an illegal and clandestine manner on October 7. 

Peru's Judicial Branch has issued a search notice and an international arrest warrant against him, following a preventive detention request by the Public Ministry.

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Published: 10/18/2018