Andina

Peru: Cassation appeal hearing for Keiko Fujimori suspended

12:18 | Lima, Jul. 5

Peruvian Supreme Court's Criminal Chamber on Friday suspended the hearing aimed at assessing the cassation appeal —submitted by former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori in order to be released from preventive detention— after Supreme Judge Jorge Carlos Castañeda requested to be removed from the case.

According to the Chamber, the judge's request will be processed, and thus the hearing could not take place.

Castañeda made this decision after audio recordings of conversations between him and ex-Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza —coordinating a meeting— were recently released. 

It should be noted the Supreme Court's Criminal Chamber requires five judges to resolve the cassation appeal submitted by Fujimori, who currently serves a 36-month preventive detention in Lima over alleged money laundering charges linked to the Odebrecht company.

The Judicial Branch declared well-founded the request made by the Prosecutor's Office to imprison Fujimori because of the danger of obstruction of justice that implied keeping her free.

Fujimori's attorney Giulliana Loza and her husband Mark Vito Villanella were present at the hearing. 

Likewise, the Supreme Court had to resolve the cassation appeals filed by Jaime Yoshiyama —ex-Secretary General of Fujimori's political party Fuerza 2011 (now Fuerza Popular)—, Luis Mejia Lecca —the party's former treasurer and representative—, and Pier Figari —Fujimori's advisor

They are investigated over the contributions the party had received.

About Hinostroza

Cesar Hinostroza is considered by the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office as the head of the criminal organization known as The Port's White Collars, a group formed by magistrates of the Judiciary and Public Ministry, whose objective was to control the agencies responsible for administering justice in order to obtain illegal benefits.

In Peru, the Public Ministry is independent from the Executive Branch.

Hinostroza is implicated in a series of audio recordings released by Panorama TV show and investigative journalism site IDL-Reporteros in July 2018.

In the unethical conversations, the former judge offers and accepts favors to and from National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members and other officials. These corrupt actions were harshly criticized by most Peruvians, including President Martin Vizcarra.


He was also accused of allegedly committing the crimes of illegal sponsorship, influence peddling, and incompatible negotiation.

It must be noted the Judiciary —in July 2018— approved a request to forbid Hinostroza from leaving the country

However, the ex-judge left the Inca nation through a border control point in northern Tumbes region on October 7. 

On October 17, the Judicial Branch issued a search notice and an international arrest warrant against ex-Supreme Court Judge Hinostroza, following a preventive detention request by the Public Ministry.

Two days later President Vizcarra confirmed the ex-magistrate's arrest in Madrid.

In December, Spain rejected an asylum request by the dismissed judge. This decision strengthened the extradition request by Peru.


Hinostroza is prohibited from leaving the European country, must establish residence in Spanish territory, and must appear before court twice a week, among other measures.

He will be extradited from Spain after its National High Court accepted the request made by Peru.

Odebrecht
    
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.

Therefore, Odebrecht benefited from over US$143 million between 2005 and 2014 in Peru, according to the U.S. Justice Department. 

In addition, four ex-Presidents have been linked to the Brazilian company such as: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (2006-2011), Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018)



(END) FHG/DTK/MVB

Published: 7/5/2019