Peru President submits bill to declare Public Ministry in state of emergency

14:24 | Lima, Jan. 2.

President Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday submitted to Congress an Executive Branch-approved bill aimed at declaring the Public Ministry in state of emergency in order to solve the crisis existing within the organization.

On this occasion, the Head of State was joined by Prime Minister Cesar Villanueva and Justice Minister Zeballos, with whom he walked from the Government Palace to Parliament and delivered the document. On the way to Congress, they were cheered on by citizens.

The bill came in response to Attorney General Pedro Chavarry's decision —on New Year's Eve— to remove the top prosecutors investigating the Lava Jato case in Peru.

As is known, Chavarry's resolution 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.

El presidente @MartinVizcarraC, junto al primer ministro y ministro de @MinjusDH_Peru, presentó al @CongresoPeru el proyecto de ley que declara en emergencia el Ministerio Público. pic.twitter.com/OKpdHpd5GX
— Presidencia Perú (@presidenciaperu) 2 de enero de 2019

[Fotogalería??] Así fue el recorrido del presidente Vizcarra hacia el @congresoperu para entregar el decreto que declara en emergencia a la @FiscaliaPeru https://t.co/YXHwVzhsh8 pic.twitter.com/bD0rBZqj7q
— 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) JCC/CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 1/2/2019

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