Peru: Judiciary orders release of former President Vizcarra

Photo: EFE

Photo: EFE

08:30 | Lima, Sep. 4.

The Judicial Branch ordered on Wednesday the immediate release of former President Martin Vizcarra, who had been placed under preventive detention for the alleged crime of passive bribery to the detriment of the Peruvian State.

The ruling ordering the former Head of State's release was issued by the Third Criminal Appeals Chamber of the National Superior Court.


The ruling's reasoning states that the prosecutorial request to change the former president's status from regular appearance to preventive detention was unfounded.

According to the document, the case is already at the trial stage, and there is no provision in the Criminal Procedure Code that allows the Public Prosecutor's Office to request a change in coercive measures at this stage.

"Consequently, the trial court judge exceeded their authority by granting a coercive measure (preventive detention) that lacks legal basis due to the procedural stage at which it was issued," the text stated.

The resolutive part of the ruling in favor of Vizcarra specifies that his release must take place provided there is no other arrest warrant issued by a competent judicial authority against the former Moquegua region governor.


As is known, Vizcarra was President of the Republic from March 23, 2018, to November 9, 2020, the day on which he was impeached and removed from office by Congress.

(END) MCA/MVB

Publicado: 4/9/2025