Andina

Peru: Former Lima Mayor taken to prison for preventive detention

20:43 | Lima, Feb. 14.

Former Mayor of Lima Luis Castañeda on Friday evening was transferred from the National Penitentiary Institute's (INPE) holding cell to Castro Castro Prison —located on the outskirts of the capital city— where he will serve 24 months of preventive detention ordered by the judiciary hours ago.

The former authority is investigated by the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group for alleged money laundering and other crimes such as having allegedly received bribes from Brazilian construction companies OAS and Odebrecht in order to favor them at public work tenders.

The ex-mayor's legal defense announced that it would appeal the judicial decision.

The judge also imposed the appearance with restrictions measure and the payment of bonds of S/500,000 (about US$147,710) and S/50,000 (about US$14,771) on former Congressman Jose Luna Galvez and former Municipality official Giselle Zegarra, respectively.

The Prosecutor's Office claims the former mayor was part of a criminal organization —along with the other citizens involved— that may have favored Brazilian companies OAS and Odebrecht with addendums in exchange for contributions to his electoral campaign.

Luis Castañeda Lossio served as Mayor of Lima Metropolitan Area in the following periods of time: 2003-2010 and 2015-2018.

(END) MVB

Published: 2/14/2020