Peru: Judicial Branch orders preliminary detention of ex-President Kuczynski

08:38 | Lima, Apr. 10.

Peru's Judicial Branch on Wednesday ordered the preliminary detention of ex-President and former Minister Pedro Pablo Kuczynski for 10 days over alleged asset laundering crimes to the detriment of the Peruvian State.

The Judiciary has also ordered the arrests of his personal secretary Gloria Jesus Kisic and driver Jose Luis Bernaola.

Furthermore, the properties belonging to Kuczynski will be raided in a period between 48 hours and 10 days. This will serve to seize documents, which could be helpful for the investigation.

As is known, the investigation is based on projects linked to Brazilian corruption-tainted Odebrecht company's South Interoceanic Highway Project —Stretches 2 and 3— (South IIRSA) and Olmos Irrigation Project. Both of them had been awarded to the corporation.

Pedro Pablo Kuczynski served as President of Peru between July 2016 and March 2018. He offered his resignation on March 21 following the release of secret recordings that entangled him in a scandal on the eve of an impeachment vote.

Back then, a group of legislators from opposition parties filed a presidential impeachment motion —on the grounds of moral incapacity— after he had survived a previous impeachment vote back in December.

This new motion was intended to oust Kuczynski for alleged links with Odebrecht.

(END) JCC/RES/MVB

Published: 4/10/2019

Peru: Judicial Branch orders preliminary detention of ex-President Kuczynski

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