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Peru: Keiko Fujimori to serve detention in ex-First Lady's prison unit

11:27 | Lima, Nov. 2.

Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori will serve a 36-month preventive detention —as ordered by a Peruvian judge— in the same unit where ex-First Lady Nadine Heredia (2011-2016) had remained in custody for nine months, Fujimori's attorney Giulliana Loza informed.

Loza —who visited the Fuerza Popular party leader at the women's prison— explained she has been assigned said space in order to ensure her safety.

The lawyer indicated Fujimori was calm during her first day of detention and did not ask for any kind of privilege.

It should be noted ex-First Lady Nadine Heredia and husband —ex-President Ollanta Humala— are also being investigated for allegedly having received illegal money from corruption-tainted Odebrecht to fund Humala's presidential campaign in 2011.

Within the framework of this investigation, Peruvian Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho —in July 2017— issued an 18-month preventive detention order against the former presidential couple, which put them behind bars.

Last April, Constitutional Court Head Ernesto Blume confirmed the ruling concerning the habeas corpus petition issued to secure Humala and Heredia's release to face trial out of prison.

About the Fujimori case

Last Wednesday, Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho ordered the preventive detention of Fujimori over alleged money laundering charges.

The judge considered she posed a high risk of flight, plus this measure would prevent disruptions to the probe.

Earlier, the magistrate affirmed there is serious suspicion that Fuerza Popular party leader Fujimori had allegedly participated in money laundering offenses, as the head of a criminal organization within the party.

Additionally, Concepcion Carhuancho confirmed there is a high degree of probability that Odebrecht had paid US$1 million to Keiko Fujimori's 2011 campaign through fake donors and unjustified activities.

The magistrate pointed out the money came from the Division of Structured Operations —the Brazilian company's bribery department. Thus, the assets —intended for the campaign— were illegal and derived from unaccounted payments.

Likewise, this affirmation is supported by former Odebrecht executives' statements given to the authorities through plea bargain deals.

As is known, Keiko is the 43-year-old daughter of ex-President Alberto Fujimori, who ruled the country between 1990 and 2000.

After having fled to Japan and traveling to Chile —from where he was extradited to Peru— the patriarch was sentenced for crimes against human rights and corruption committed during his term in office.

In 2017, he was pardoned by ex-President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who later stepped down amid a political scandal.

Earlier this month, the Judiciary accepted the plaintiffs' claim to annul the pardon.

(END) FHG/DTK/MVB

Publicado: 2/11/2018