Odebrecht case: Peru judge orders 18-month preventive detention of 14 arbitrators

17:31 | Lima, Nov. 4.

The Judicial Branch ordered 18 months of preventive detention against 14 out of 16 arbitrators accused of favoring Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

Said arbitrators are Humberto Abanto Verastegui, Fernando Cantuarias Salaverry, Marcos Espinoza Rimache, Randol Campos Flores, Luis Pardo Narvaez, Richard Martin Tirado, and Weyden Garcia Rojas.

The list also includes Fernando Pebe Romero, Alejandro Alvarez Pedroza, Ramiro Rivera Reyes, Franz Kundmuller Caminiti, Mario Castillo Freyre, Alfredo Zapata Velasco, and Daniel Linares Prado.

They are accused of bribery, illicit association, and money laundering for allegedly favoring Odebrecht, according to the prosecutor.

Likewise, the Third Preparatory Investigation Court —led by Judge Jorge Chavez Tamariz— ordered an 18-month house arrest against Emilio Cassina Rivas, and appearance with restrictions on Emilio David Cassina Ramon.

As is known, Abanto Verastegui worked as lawyer for

Jaime Yoshiyama, who is included in the Prosecutor's Office's investigation into alleged money laundering crimes in the case linked to Odebrecht contributions made to Fuerza Popular party during Keiko Fujimori's 2011 presidential campaign.

He serves preventive detention, too.

Evidence

Last month, Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group member German Juarez affirmed there was enough evidence to prove that Odebrecht had bribed a group of arbitrators, so they could vote in favor of the Brazilian company in legal disputes.

The Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group investigates the bribes paid by Brazilian companies Odebrecht and OAS to ex-Peruvian Government officials in exchange for public works.

In this sense, the prosecutor told the press that the foreign corporation had recognized its culpability concerning the delivery of those illegal payments.

Likewise, he indicated that its officers had admitted there were payments and bribes known as "success bonuses" which were granted to arbitrators once they had voted in favor of the company.

Furthermore, Juarez pointed out collaborators and Odebrecht executives had provided documents mentioning the names of the arbitrators who had received illegal money.

Poder Judicial dicta 18 meses de prisión preventiva contra catorce de 16 árbitros acusados de favorecer con laudos a empresa Odebrecht, entre ellos, Humberto Abanto, Fernando Cantuarias, Marcos Espinoza, entre otros. pic.twitter.com/1iAK4AD1pR
— Poder Judicial Perú (@Poder_Judicial_) November 4, 2019

#Ahora. Juez del Tercer Juzgado de Investigación Preparatoria, Jorge Tamariz realiza audiencia para decidir sobre prisión preventiva contra 16 exárbitros procesados por cohecho, asociación ilícita y lavado de activos, por favorecer a #Odebrecht @canalN_ @RPPNoticias pic.twitter.com/727cU1JLgG
— Poder Judicial Perú (@Poder_Judicial_) November 4, 2019