Andina

Peru: Pedro Chavarry sworn in as Attorney General

13:00 | Lima, Jul. 20.

Supreme Prosecutor Pedro Chavarry on Friday was sworn in as Attorney General for the 2018-2021 term, amid a corruption scandal involving members of the Inca country's justice administration system.

The event took place after the Board of Supreme Prosecutors agreed —by majority— to proceed with the corresponding ceremony.

It was attended by Congress Chairman Luis Galarreta, Temporary Judicial Branch President Francisco Tavara —who replaces resigning Duberli Rodriguez—, outgoing Attorney General Pablo Sanchez, and Supreme Prosecutors, among others.

Chavarry's sworn-in ceremony did not see the presence of highest-ranking officials from the Executive Branch.

Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva affirmed that neither the President of the Republic Martin Vizcarra nor himself —or any other administration representative— would attend the event. 

He also requested Chavarry to step aside and not to take office.

Chavarry's designation came under fire as new audio recordings —containing conversations of him with disgraced Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostrozawere recently revealed by IDL-Reporteros investigative journalism site.

Peru is currently trapped in a mega-scandal involving National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members and Judicial Branch officials.

Case

Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza is implicated in a series of audio recordings released by Panorama TV show and investigative journalism site IDL—Reporteros.

In the conversations, the judge offers and accepts favors to and from National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members and other officials.

According to statements contained in one audio recording, Hinostroza had allegedly negotiated —with an unknown caller— the application of a mild punishment against a child rapist.

In this sense, President Martin Vizcarra underlined investigations must be conducted rapidly to severely punish the persons responsible for these disgraceful and despicable acts.

Likewise, the CNM opened an investigation on Hinostroza. Also, an impeachment motion against him was submitted to Congress.

Furthermore, Hinostroza was removed from the presidency of the Supreme Court's Second Transitory Criminal Chamber.

The Executive Branch has established the Justice System Reform Commission, attached to the Presidency of the Republic, according to a Supreme Resolution published last Friday in El Peruano official gazette.

The consultative commission is intended to propose urgent and concrete measures to reform the justice system thus contributing to effective, timely, transparent, efficient, and incorruptible justice.

(END) CVC/MVB

Publicado: 20/7/2018