U.S. Justice considers ex-President Toledo a fugitive from Peru

14:02 | Lima, Jul. 18.

Ex Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) is considered a fugitive from Peru by U.S. Justice, the criminal complaint requesting his arrest revealed.

Former President Toledo —who has been residing in the State of California— was on July 16 arrested in the United States by an extradition order against him, within the framework of the investigations over alleged corruption offenses in the awarding of the South Interoceanic Highway Project to Brazilian company Odebrecht.

"Wherefore, the undersigned requests that a warrant for the arrest of Alejandro Toledo Manrique be issued in accordance with 18 U.S.C. (…)," the document signed by U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas S. Hixson read.

"(…) and the extradition treaty between the United States and Peru, so that the fugitive may be arrested and brought before this Court to the end that the evidence of criminality may be heard and considered," it concluded.

The complaint against Toledo was presented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise LaPunzina, who represents "the United States in fulfilling its treaty obligation to Peru."

The extradition treaty between the United States and Peru was signed in Lima on July 26, 2001.

Likewise, LaPunzina indicated that —after assessing the documents sent by Peruvian authorities— "the offenses for which extradition is demanded are provided for by the treaty."

Furthermore, the arrest warrant request took into account the charges of influence peddling, collusion, and money laundering offenses.

The charges will be addressed on July 19 by U.S. Magistrate Judge Hixson. Toledo will be present at the bail hearing as well.

Toledo detained in the U.S.

As is known, former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was arrested in the United States by an extradition order against him, within the framework of the investigations over alleged corruption offenses in the awarding of the South Interoceanic Highway Project to Brazilian company Odebrecht.

The Peruvian Public Ministry's International Judicial Cooperation and Extraditions Unit (UCJIE) Head Senior Prosecutor Celia Goicochea indicated the detention took place on July 16 at 6:30 AM (local time) in the State of California.

Furthermore, Goicochea recalled the extradition request was submitted to U.S. authorities on May 25, 2018.

After U.S. authorities' questions were addressed, the Department of Justice notified the Public Ministry's UCJIE on July 2 that the arrest order was being prepared in order to extradite the ex-President.

"It is a favorable result, as the judicial phase will start," she said.

Finally, the Peruvian prosecutor thanked her counterpart in the United States, for the valuable cooperation in the monitoring of the extradition file and the permanent communication with the national authority.

Click here to read the facts of the extradition request against Toledo.

(END) CVC/DTK/MVB

Publicado: 18/7/2019