Andina

Peru orders preventive detention of ex-President Humala, wife

AFP

20:23 | Lima, Jul. 13.

Peruvian Judge Richard Concepcion, head of the First Preparatory Investigation Court, on Thursday evening issued an 18-month pretrial detention order against former President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) and wife Nadine Heredia over alleged money laundering.

The resolution followed a long public hearing held at Peru's National Criminal Court —which had started on Wednesday morning— to rule on a Public Ministry request for preventive detention.

According to Concepcion Carhuancho, there is evidence pointing to the suspects' intention to obstruct justice.

The former presidential couple did not show up for the session and instead awaited the ruling at home in Lima's Surco district.

The said petition was submitted last Tuesday by Prosecutor for Money Laundering Cases German Juarez, seeking 18 months in prison for the couple over money laundering and Odebrecht-related illicit association to commit a crime.

Ollanta Humala and Nadine Heredia are accused of allegedly having received gains from the Government of Venezuela, as well as corruption-tainted Odebrecht and OAS to fund presidential campaigns in 2006 and 2011, respectively.

In addition, the remainder of said resources would have been used to purchase a vehicle and a property, which former First Lady Nadine Heredia had allegedly justified by forging professional services contracts with a number of companies. 

Charges are backed by the statements of former Odebrecht executives Jorge Barata and Marcelo Odebrecht, as well as bank statements matching Heredia's incriminating journals. 

Humala was sworn in as President of Peru on July 28, 2011 and served for a five-year term.

(END) FHG/DHT/MVB

Published: 7/13/2017