The Special Team of Prosecutors against Corruption of Power (Eficoop) on Tuesday carried out the "Valkiria II" (Valkyrie II) operation, linked to the complaints against
The operation resulted in the detention of 7 people and the raid on 21 homes.
Via social media, the Public Ministry reported that the people intervened are subjected to preliminary detention.
They are accused of are (being part of a) criminal organization, as well as of committing aggravated collusion and influence peddling.
A total of 23 prosecutors and more than 100 police agents participated in the operation carried out in various areas of Lima since 3:40 a.m. (local time).
The investigations from which this operation derives are led by Prosecutor Christian Niño.
They involve the Attorney General Office's ex-Advisor Jaime Villanueva, Miguel Girao Isidro, Jose Luis Castillo, and others who had maintained ties with Benavides.
According to versions released by some media outlets, Castillo and Girao would be among those preliminarily detained in this operation.
Journalist's home raided
The home of journalist Juan Carlos Tafur, Sudaca website's editor-in-chief, was raided.
In an interview with RPP Noticias, he expressed annoyance in this regard and deemed this operation as "Marita Barreto's revenge."
The journalist indicated that questioning the sources he had interviewed to report on the matter is being intended.
Therefore, he deemed as absurd intending to involve both issues. He also insisted that this is aimed at affecting his right to freedom of expression.