Andina

Peru: Judge lifts travel ban on Keiko Fujimori's husband

10:50 | Lima, Feb. 12.

The Second National Criminal Appeals Chamber, led by Judge Cesar Sahuanay, has lifted the travel ban imposed on Fuerza Popular party leader Keiko Fujimori's husband Mark Vito Villanella.

On November 27, the Judicial Branch imposed a travel ban on Villanella, barring him from leaving the Inca country for 36 months as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering.

Earlier that month, Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez opened a preparatory investigation and requested the ban.

However, according to the abovementioned chamber, Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho included facts that were not considered by Perez when requesting such a measure. 

Therefore, another judge was required to pronounce on the Prosecutor's Office request.

The prosecutor made the decision to start a probe on Villanella for the purchase of two lots south of Lima —worth S/617,329 (around US$183,129)— using alleged illegal funds.

As is known, Concepcion Carhuancho ordered the preventive detention of Keiko Fujimori over alleged money laundering charges in October last year.

The judge considered the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori posed a high risk of flight, plus this measure would prevent disruptions to the probe. 

The magistrate said there is serious suspicion that Fuerza Popular 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 was supported by former Odebrecht executives' statements given to the authorities through plea bargain deals.

(END) RMCH/RMB

Publicado: 12/2/2019