Andina

Former Odebrecht representative: 'Oriente' was code name for ex-President Toledo

18:49 | Lima, Oct. 2.

Former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata confirmed —to Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group— that "Oriente" (East) was the code name for ex-President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), IDL-Reporteros informed Wednesday.

Toledo was given said secret name due to his close relationship with Israeli entrepreneur Josef Maiman, who resides in the Middle East. 

It should be noted Maiman has signed a collaboration agreement with Peru's Public Ministry, within the framework of the investigation on Toledo. 

Peruvian Prosecutor Rafael Vela confirmed that other identities of the people behind these code names —used by Odebrecht in order to pay bribes— have been revealed during the interrogation of Barata. 

Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group's activities will continue tomorrow, October 3, with the interrogation of former Odebrecht Colombia Director Eleuberto Martorelli —who is believed to have further information on the code names.

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, 2019, at 6:30 AM (local time) in the State of California.


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.

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

Toledo's release on bail denied

On September 12, U.S. Magistrate Judge Thomas Hixson denied the request made by the defense of ex-President Alejandro Toledo to release him on bail during the extradition process.

In this sense, the magistrate dismissed the new evidence provided by Toledo's attorney and ratified the decision initially made in July

Therefore, Toledo will face his extradition process detained in a U.S. cell.

Likewise, the judge described the former president as someone who has connections, as well as people close to him with great assets, and a place to flee. 

As is known, the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office has indicated several times that Israel might have been Toledo's destination if he had fled, as his wife —Eliane Karp— is an Israeli citizen, and Peru does not have an extradition agreement with that country. 

At the end of the hearing, Karp began shouting and insulting people. Thus, she was removed from the courtroom. 

On this occasion, Judge Hixson scheduled the first hearing of the extradition trial for October 17 at 10 AM (local time). 


Furthermore, in a statement sent to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, Assistant U.S. Attorney Elise LaPunzina pointed out Toledo himself asked for the special security measures in jail, which included solitary confinement. 

On September 10, it was reported Toledo's defense may have offered a US$1 million bail with the purpose of regaining his freedom. 

According to local media outlets, US$10,000 was offered to be paid in cash and two properties of close friends would be given as warranty.

Toledo is wanted by the Peruvian justice to face an investigation into the alleged bribes worth US$35 million paid by Brazilian company Odebrecht over the concession for the development of the South Interoceanic Highway during his term in office (2001-2006).

(END) VVS/FHG/DTK/RMB

Published: 10/2/2019