The Judicial Branch has ordered the preventive detention of former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori for 36 months over alleged money laundering charges.
First Preparatory Investigation Court Head Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho on Wednesday resumed the seven-day hearing to assess the
prosecutor's preventive detention request for Fujimori.
The judge considered she posed a high risk of flight, plus this measure would prevent disruptions to the probe.
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.
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.
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 derived from unaccounted payments.
Likewise, this affirmation is supported by former Odebrecht executives' statements given to the authorities through plea bargain deals.
The session —which had started at 9:30 AM— was adjourned at 5:30 PM.
Afterward, the suspect was put under detention by law enforcement agents and taken to the Justice Palace's holding cell.