Andina

Peru PM: Odebrecht's lawsuit is an act of provocation to justice

14:55 | Lima, Feb. 6.

Peruvian Prime Minister Vicente Zeballos on Thursday deemed as an "act of provocation to justice" the lawsuit filed by Brazilian company Odebrecht against the Peruvian State before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) over the Southern Gas Pipeline Project concession.

"Saying that it causes strangeness is diplomatic. This is an act of provocation to what justice is. Graña y Montero (the company), which is adhering to the effective collaboration, assumed responsibilities in the Southern Gas Pipeline case. Graña y Montero has been one of the consortium members, along with Enagas and Odebrecht," he told Ideeleradio.

Likewise, the cabinet chief hoped that the lawsuit will not prosper because it has no logic and constitutes a contradiction, as the 
Brazilian construction company had signed an effective collaboration agreement with the Public Ministry.

Therefore, he did not rule out the possibility that the Brazilian company could desist from suing the Peruvian State. 

Furthermore, the high-ranking official denied that this lawsuit could affect the continuity of the Lava Jato case investigations.

The Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group investigates the alleged bribes paid by the company to former Peruvian Government officials in exchange for projects.

"As a State, we have to defend ourselves, and this can in no way neutralize the continuity of the investigative processes the Public Ministry leads," he expressed.

The President of the Council of Ministers indicated that Peru relies on prestige, in terms of international controversies. In this regard, he mentioned that Enagas had sued for US$500 million before the ICSID using the same arguments as those of Odebrecht.

In this sense, the cabinet chief was confident that the arguments the Peruvian State will present will be extremely solid.

(END) SRE/RMCH/MVB

Published: 2/6/2020