Peru's Prosecutor: Sentence against Ollanta Humala and Nadine Heredia is historic

Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán Negrini

Photo: ANDINA/Juan Carlos Guzmán Negrini

16:45 | Lima, Apr. 15.

Prosecutor German Juarez Atoche, member of the Public Ministry's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group, on Tuesday expressed satisfaction with the 15-year prison sentence imposed on former President Ollanta Humala and his wife, Nadine Heredia, calling it "historic."

As is known, Ollanta Humala Tasso was President of the Republic from 2011 to 2016.

Juarez Atoche stated that he is satisfied with the work carried out by the Public Ministry throughout this process, noting that this institution bore the "historic responsibility of proving money laundering against a president and the Nationalist Party."

Likewise, the provincial prosecutor told reporters that with the ruling issued this Tuesday, "it has been demonstrated that the Special Team does not persecute anyone," after noting that at one point, there were claims of political persecution in this case.

"This is the path that will set the course for other cases. There is even one case that fell apart, but has not been lost, and I am sure it will have the same consequences as this conviction for money laundering," Juarez Atoche asserted, referring to the Cocktails case, which has returned to the intermediate stage.

Nevertheless, the Public Ministry official said he did not agree with the decision of the Third National Criminal Collegiate Court to impose a fine of 100 tax units (UIT) on the Nationalist Party, but stated that they will comply.

"We are respectful of the judicial decision; in this case, it was to impose a fine of 100 UIT; however, it has been demonstrated that the Nationalist Party was used as an instrument to launder illicit money," he stated.

Supports Domingo Perez

The prosecutor left the headquarters of the Lima-based National Superior Court of Specialized Criminal Justice (CSNJPE) accompanied by his colleagues, Special Team coordinator Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez. The latter was recently suspended from his position for six months.

German Juarez Atoche took the opportunity to express his solidarity with Perez and stated that he remains part of the Special Team, "even if there is a suspension (against Perez), which I am sure will be reversed on appeal, or in any case, through constitutional means." 

(END) MCA/CVC/JMP/MVB

Published: 4/15/2025