Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela on Tuesday affirmed the
favors the first extradition request Peru sent to the United States' authorities.
In this sense, Vela explained this second charge and new extradition request against
Toledo is intended for the trial phase of the case, and not the investigation stage, like the first request sent to the United States over the bribes paid to him by Odebrecht.
According to him, there are precedents, in which the U.S. justice approved
extradition requests for the trial phase —unlike the petitions for the investigation stage due to the presumption of innocence principle.
Likewise, Vela indicated the new charge and extradition request over the
Ecoteva Case includes acquisitions of properties —
worth millions— paid by Toledo with money he had allegedly received from Odebrecht as bribes while in office.
"Toledo has every right to defend himself. What we seek is that, through an extradition mechanism, he can come here to stand a fair trial," Vela concluded.
Collaboration agreement
As is known, the Brazilian construction giant admitted to having paid millions in bribes to government officials in Peru, in order to secure public-works contracts.
As a result,
Odebrecht benefited from over US$143 million between 2005 and 2014 in Peru, according to the U.S. Justice Department.