Andina

Peru: Keiko Fujimori could be sentenced to 10-13 years in prison

11:01 | Lima, Nov. 1.

Peru's First Preparatory Investigation Court Head Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho has informed Fuerza Popular party leader Keiko Fujimori could serve between 10 and 13 years in prison, if she is found guilty of money laundering offenses.

Within this framework, Fujimori would face a minimum sentence of 10 years, the judge indicated. 

The magistrate recalled that —in accordance with the law— preventive detention can only be ordered if the expected sentence —for the people under investigation— is longer than four years in prison. 


The judge considered Fujimori posed a high risk of flight, plus this measure would prevent disruptions to the probe. 

Earlier on Wednesday, the magistrate affirmed there is serious suspicion that Fuerza Popular party leader Fujimori had allegedly participated in money laundering offenses, as the head of a criminal organization within the party.

According to him, this suspicion is based on the statements given by witnesses who indicated that there was a group within Fuerza 2011 —now Fuerza Popular— that made decisions outside the party's structure.

Furthermore, Keiko Fujimori, Pier Figari, Ana Herz, and Vicente Silva Checa —considered an advisor in the shadows due to his connections to Vladimiro Montesinos— were part of the organization's upper echelons.

Montesinos was the long-standing head of Peru's intelligence service (SIN) under former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000), Keiko's father.

In 2000, secret videos —which Montesinos had recorded— were televised that showed him bribing an elected lawmaker to leave the opposition and join the Fujimorist side of Congress. He has been in prison since 2001.

Additionally, Judge Concepcion Carhuancho confirmed there is a high degree of probability that corruption-tainted Odebrecht had paid US$1 million to Keiko Fujimori's 2011 campaign through fake donors and unjustified activities.

The magistrate pointed out the money came from the Division of Structured Operations —the Brazilian company's bribery department. Thus, the assets —intended for the campaign— were illegal and originated from unaccounted payments. 

Likewise, this affirmation is supported by former Odebrecht executives' statements given to the authorities through plea bargain deals.

(END) CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 11/1/2018