Peru: Former First Lady Heredia banned from traveling overseas for 12 months

She is investigated over the alleged commission of the crime of collusion and others to the detriment of the State in the Southern Gas Pipeline case.

The magistrate also declared well founded the prosecutor's requirement to prohibit former Ministers Jorge Merino, Rene Cornejo, and Carlos Paredes from traveling overseas.

Initially, the judge informed that he accepted the request of the Prosecutor's Office to ban them from leaving the country for 18 months, but —at the end of the hearing— he indicated that the measure imposed on Heredia and the others under investigation is for a reasonable period of 12 months.

While addressing his resolution, Judge Chavez Tamariz considered that there was a risk of flight of the citizens under investigation.

The magistrate said the Public Ministry proved that Heredia does not have family or work ties in Peruvian territory.

Furthermore, he mentioned that the Prosecutor's Office presented evidence of the former First Lady's power over businessmen and the surrounding environment during the former administration of his husband —ex-President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016).

43-year-old Heredia is investigated for having allegedly favored Brazilian construction company Odebrecht with the Southern Gas Pipeline concession. 

(END) RMCH/MVB