Peru: Lava Jato case Prosecutors Vela and Perez reinstated in their posts

13:39 | Lima, Jan. 2.

Peruvian Attorney General Pedro Chavarry on Wednesday reversed a previous decision by reinstating Lava Jato Case Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez in their posts.

Thus, they will be allowed to continue investigating the illegal acts involving Brazilian corruption-tainted Odebrecht and former Peruvian Government officials.

The new decision was revealed in a resolution submitted by the Attorney General's Office earlier today. It also takes into consideration the fact that Prosecutors Frank Almanza and Marcial Paucar declined to join the Public Ministry's Lava Jato Case Special Team as their replacements.

Attorney General Chavarry —on New Year's Eve— decided to remove Prosecutors Vela and Perez from the case.

Said decision brought protestors to the streets in several cities of the Inca country.

Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator Vela had previously affirmed there was hostility against the Odebrecht investigation prosecutors. Reports suggested the existence of friction between his team and the Attorney General.

In Peru, the Attorney General is not designated or confirmed by the President of the Republic. In fact, President Vizcarra had expressed his full support to the continuation of Prosecutors Vela and Perez in the case.

Marcha en apoyo a los fiscales Rafael Vela y José Domingo Pérez, ratificados en sus cargos esta tarde. Ciudadanos se encuentran en la Plaza de Armas https://t.co/vLT5T70GcA
Video: @BraianReynaG pic.twitter.com/cnC7vr5J9j
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) 2 de enero de 2019

Ciudadanos muestran su apoyo a los fiscales Rafael Vela y José Domingo Pérez. El Ministerio Público los repuso en sus cargos https://t.co/uqYxSETUW6 pic.twitter.com/cuKJdEeR5x

Video: @monaparedes
— Agencia Andina (@Agencia_Andina) 2 de enero de 2019

Odebrecht

As is known, the Brazilian construction giant admitted to having paid millions in bribes to government officials in Peru, in order to secure public-works contracts.

As a result, Odebrecht benefited from over US$143 million between 2005 and 2014 in Peru, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

In addition, four ex-Presidents have been linked to the Brazilian company such as: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (2006-2011), Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018).

Former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori —currently under preventive detention— also allegedly received money from Odebrecht for her 2011 campaign.

(END) CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 1/2/2019

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