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Peru: Ex-President Humala investigation nearing an end, accusation comes next

17:41 | Lima, Dec. 21.

Prosecutor's Office is about to complete the investigation against Peru's former President Ollanta Humala and file a formal accusation before the Judicial Branch, Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Rafael Vela announced Friday.

German Juarez, the prosecutor leading the investigation, is expected to make a decision in the following days.

He could not complete the preparatory research before because the Judicial Branch first had to define the protection of rights, proposed by the ex-President's defense, which was rejected.

"Once resolved, it is the responsibility of the prosecutor to close the investigation and assess the Public Ministry's accusatory claims," he told RPP radio and TV news station.

According to Vela, Juarez must end the preparatory inquiry first. Afterward, he has 30 days to write the accusation.

Once this process is over, the accusation shall be delivered to Judge Richard Concepcion, who will decide on its legality. 
 
After completing this step, Concepcion will not be able to preside over the oral trial against the defendant.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, corruption-tainted Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht paid US$3 million to Ollanta Humala to finance his 2011 presidential campaign.

His wife —Peru's former First Lady— Nadine Heredia has been included in the process. According to witnesses' versions, cash was given to her in Lima.

For this case, both of them are under investigation over money laundering allegations.

Judge Concepcion issued an 18-month pretrial detention order against former President Humala (2011-2016) and wife Heredia in July 2017.

The couple was released from prison in April this year, following a Constitutional Court's ruling in favor of a habeas corpus submitted by their lawyer.

(END) CCR/RMB

Published: 12/21/2018