Andina

Peru Prosecutor: Former Odebrecht representative Barata obliged to answer

12:55 | Lima, Apr. 22.

Former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata is obliged to answer all the questions during the interrogation of the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group this week, Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez reaffirmed on Monday.

In this sense, he will join Prosecutors Rafael Vela, Geovanna Mori, German Juarez, and Carlos Puma in Curitiba (Brazil).

"He (Barata) will answer all the questions posed by the Prosecutor's Office on Tuesday and Wednesday," Perez expressed before travelling to the neighboring the country. 

Within this framework, the special team will take Barata's statements on the bribes paid by Odebrecht to Peruvian politicians and high-ranking officials to win public work contracts during the last 15 years. 


Likewise, the Prosecutor indicated that recently-deceased ex-President Alan Garcia's defense "has made assertions that are not true and have affected the honor of the people who compose this group." 


"The Public Ministry will continue its work as it has always done. Respect for the independence of the justice administration is requested. Finally, we are assessed by the results," the Prosecutor added. 

Collaboration agreement
       
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.

(END) CVC/DTK/MVB

Published: 4/22/2019