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Peru: Keiko Fujimori released from preventive detention

ANDINA/Eddy Ramos

21:02 | Lima, Nov. 29.

Former Congresswoman and ex-presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori left the women's prison facility in Lima's Chorrillos district on Friday night after being held in preventive detention for nearly 13 months over alleged money laundering offenses related to the corruption-tainted Brazilian company Odebrecht.

Her husband U.S.-born Mark Vito Villanella, lawyer Giulliana Loza, fellow party members and supporters —who were awaiting her release— greeted her once she came out to the street.

After having talked to reporters, she was taken home inside a vehicle.

Constitutional Court

Last Monday, the Constitutional Court (TC) decided to declare well-founded the habeas corpus submitted by Keiko Fujimori's relatives to annul the preventive detention imposed on her.

The decision was adopted during a plenary session held that day at the TC headquarters.

The presentation on the habeas corpus in favor of Fuerza Popular party leader's freedom was in charge of TC Chairman Ernesto Blume.

"Concerning the decision taken, I must clarify that the Constitutional Court has not passed judgment on the substantive issue in the case of citizen Keiko Sofia Fujimori Higuchi, and has not declared her acquittal or condemned her. That is the exclusive responsibility of the Judicial Branch," Blume told reporters at a press conference following the announcement.

TC members Ernesto Blume, Jose Luis Sardon, Augusto Ferrero Costa, and Carlos Ramos voted in favor of the habeas corpus. For their part, Eloy Espinosa-Saldaña, Manuel Miranda, and Marianella Ledesma voted against the petition.

This appeal was filed last July by Sachi Fujimori —sister of the former presidential candidate— with the purpose of annulling the preventive detention order.

In the habeas corpus, the relative sued the Second Criminal Court of National Appeals Chair Cesar Sahuanay, who ratified —in second instance— the preventive detention order against the former Congresswoman.

Preventive detention

As is known, Keiko Fujimori was ordered to serve preventive detention over alleged money laundering charges linked to the Brazilian company Odebrecht.

Thus, she was accused of leading a criminal organization within the Fuerza Popular political party.

Back then, the Judicial Branch declared well-founded the request made by the Prosecutor's Office to imprison Fujimori because of the danger of obstruction of justice that implied keeping her free.

On October 31, 2018, Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho ordered her preventive detention for 36 months. However, last September, the Judicial Branch ruled in favor of reducing the preventive detention to 18 months.

She is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori, who ruled the Inca country between 1990 and 2000. He is currently in jail for crimes of corruption and against human rights committed during his time in office.

(END) RMCH/JCC/MVB

Published: 11/29/2019

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Peru: Keiko Fujimori released from preventive detention

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