Peru President: Hinostroza's extradition is important step in fight against corruption

16:31 | Lima, Jul. 8.

Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday affirmed that the decision made by the Spanish Council of Ministers to approve the extradition of former Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza to Peru constitutes an important step in the fight against corruption and impunity.

Within this framework, the Head of State indicated that —based on the established deadlines— Hinostroza is expected to arrive in the South American country by the end of the current year in order to be held accountable.

"The Council of Ministers of Spain, which like ours is a democratic country and respectful of the rule of law, approved the extradition of former magistrate Cesar Hinostroza, who will be prosecuted in our country for the crimes attributed to him. This is an important step in the frontal fight against corruption and impunity," he expressed.

The top official also specified that he did not want to make any further comments on the matter.

"So, the corresponding formal and legal process has been conducted, and his extradition has already been authorized. Now, he has asked for asylum as a last resort, but that has to be resolved in the next weeks or months, and then he will be here to appear before justice just like any other Peruvian citizen," he stated.

The crimes approved for this extradition are influence peddling, incompatible negotiation, and illegal sponsorship.

As is known, former Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza is considered by the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office as the head of The Port's White Collars, a group formed by magistrates of the Judiciary and Public Ministry, whose objective was to control the agencies responsible for administering justice in order to obtain illegal benefits.

About the case

Cesar Hinostroza is implicated in a series of audio recordings released by Panorama TV show and investigative journalism site IDL-Reporteros in July 2018.

In the unethical conversations, the former judge offers and accepts favors to and from National Council of the Magistracy (CNM) members and other officials. These corrupt actions were harshly criticized by most Peruvians, including President Martin Vizcarra.

In October 2018, Peruvian Congress approved that Hinostroza be dismissed, banned from holding public office for 10 years, and accused of organized crime involvement.

He was also accused of allegedly committing the crimes of illegal sponsorship, influence peddling, and incompatible negotiation.

It must be noted the Judiciary —in July 2018— approved a request to forbid Hinostroza from leaving the country.

However, the ex-judge left the Inca nation through a border control point in northern Tumbes region on October 7 of the same year.

On October 17, the Judicial Branch issued a search notice and an international arrest warrant against ex-Supreme Court Judge Hinostroza, following a preventive detention request by the Public Ministry.

Two days later President Vizcarra confirmed the ex-magistrate's arrest in Madrid.

In December 2018, Spain rejected an asylum request by the dismissed judge. This decision strengthened the extradition request by Peru.

On April 11 last year, the Spanish National Court released Hinostroza with precautionary measures.

Hinostroza is prohibited from leaving the European country, must establish residence in Spanish territory, and must appear before court twice a week, among other measures.

On September 23, Spain's National Court in Madrid confirmed his extradition for the crimes of illegal sponsorship, influence peddling and incompatible negotiation.

(END) JCC/VVS/MVB

Published: 7/8/2020

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Peru President: Hinostroza's extradition is important step in fight against corruption

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