Peruvians protest against Attorney General Chavarry

ANDINA/Eddy Ramos

00:00 | Lima, Jan. 4.

Peruvian citizens took to the streets again in defense of the Inca country's justice system by demonstrating against Attorney General Pedro Chavarry.

Held in Lima and diverse regions of Peru on Thursday, the marches were also meant to protest against corruption, due to the crisis existing within the Public Ministry. This institution is independent of the Executive Branch.

The Lima demonstration started at San Martin Square during the afternoon and ended outside the Attorney General's Office in the evening.

It was organized by the NGO National Coordinator for Human Rights (CNDDHH) and other national organizations.

Carrying banners and placards, protesters demanded that the Attorney General be dismissed from his post.

They also expressed their support for Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez, who were reinstated to the Lava Jato case after a public outcry over Chavarry's decision to remove them.

#ENVIVO La marcha contra la corrupción se encuentra en Paseo Colón con dirección a la Av. Abancay https://t.co/XEQ4Ua9M5E
Fotos: @susysheen pic.twitter.com/j2FsnyS7cD
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) 4 de enero de 2019

Additional protests were held overseas. For instance, also on Thursday, Peruvians residing in Spain gathered at La Puerta del Sol Square in Madrid to demand Chavarry's resignation.

Removal and reinstatement

Attorney General Chavarry —on New Year's Eve— decided to remove Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez from the case.

Said decision brought protestors to the streets in several cities of the Inca country.

On January 2, Chavarry reversed his previous decision by reinstating Prosecutors Vela and Perez in their posts.

Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Vela had previously affirmed there was hostility against the Odebrecht investigation prosecutors. Reports suggested the existence of friction between his team and the Attorney General.

In Peru, the Attorney General is not designated or confirmed by the President of the Republic. In fact, President Vizcarra had expressed his full support to the continuation of Prosecutors Vela and Perez in the case.

La ruta de la marcha contra la corrupción: avenidas Colmena, Paseo Colón, Grau y Abancay https://t.co/9iwhoLkek6 pic.twitter.com/cJKumIxoky
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) 3 de enero de 2019

Odebrecht

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) RMB/MVB

Published: 1/4/2019

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Peruvians protest against Attorney General Chavarry

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