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Ex-President Toledo's legal defense requests release on bail in U.S.

Photo: EFE

11:17 | San Francisco (U.S.), Aug. 28.

The legal defense of former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) —who is wanted in Peru over corruption charges— on Wednesday requested the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to release him on bail.

According to Canal N news channel, Graham Archer —Toledo's attorney— submitted the request.

The document claimed he does not pose a flight risk and that his sworn statement —concerning his financial state— has not been assessed.

Likewise, it indicated that the ex-President renewed his passport and ID because said papers had expired and not because he was planning to flee.

The U.S. justice will decided on August 29 if Toledo is released on bail to face the extradition process free.

July Audience

Ex-Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) will face his extradition process detained in a U.S. cell, said U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson on July 19.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise LaPunzina —who represented the Peruvian State— was in charge of supporting the complaint against Toledo and the need for the ex-President to remain detained during the extradition process.

Toledo's attorney was Joseph P. Russoniello on that occasion.

According to Peruvian El Comercio newspaper, LaPunzina indicated the ex-President did not prove that he complies with the special conditions to be released on bond and underlined there is a considerable risk of flight.

Moreover, she stressed that a bag containing at least US$40,000 in cash was found inside Toledo's house when he was detained, adding these funds could be intended for escaping.

After listening to the arguments, U.S. Magistrate Judge Hixson asked if the money found in Toledo's house was intended for escaping.

His wife Eliane Karp —who was born in Europe and became First Lady of Peru (2001-2006)— was also present at the bail hearing.

Later, Karp insulted Peruvian Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela, who travelled from Lima to the Bay Area to attend the event.

According to the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office, Toledo received up to US$35 million in bribes from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht to favor it during his presidency (2001-2006) with the concession of the South Interoceanic Highway. With this money, the former president paid mortgages and properties in Peru.

Toledo detained in the U.S.

As is known, former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was arrested in the United States by an extradition order against him, within the framework of the investigations over alleged corruption offenses in the awarding of the South Interoceanic Highway Project to Brazilian company Odebrecht.

The Peruvian Public Ministry's International Judicial Cooperation and Extraditions Unit (UCJIE) Head Senior Prosecutor Celia Goicochea indicated the detention took place on July 16, 2019, at 6:30 AM (local time) in the State of California.

Goicochea recalled the extradition request was submitted to United States' authorities on May 25, 2018.

After U.S. authorities' questions were addressed, the Department of Justice notified the Public Ministry's UCJIE on July 2 that the arrest order was being prepared in order to extradite the ex-President.

Click here to read the facts of the extradition request against Toledo.

(END) RMCH/DTK/MVB

Publicado: 28/8/2019