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Peru Prosecutor: Chavarry must resign as Attorney General and Supreme Prosecutor

10:54 | Lima, Jan. 3.

Lava Jato Case Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez believes Attorney General Pedro Chavarry should resign not only as the Public Ministry head, but also as Supreme Prosecutor.

Within this framework, the prosecutor urged Peruvian citizens to remain vigilant on what happens within the institution.

According to Perez, if Chavarry continues serving as Supreme Prosecutor, he would form a majority to make decisions in the Board of Supreme Prosecutors and the Prosecutor's Office Board, in general.

Likewise, the prosecutor indicated Chavarry's actions and presence dishonor the institution's members, thus Peruvians' demands for his resignation are justified.

"His resignation as Attorney General is not enough. I believe that a person whose acts have hindered the administration of justice cannot be part of the institution, the Public Ministry," Perez told canal N local news channel.

Furthermore, the official thanked the support he has received. He also pointed out this gratitude is directed towards the efforts undertaken by the prosecutors committed to their work and not towards specific people.

In this sense, he underlined citizens' participation, by speaking out and marching through the streets, forced Chavarry to reinstate him and Prosecutor Vela in their posts last Wednesday.

As is known, Attorney General Chavarry —on New Year's Eve— decided to remove 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 Vela and Perez in the case.

Odebrecht

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) VVS/DTK/MVB

Published: 1/3/2019

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Peru Prosecutor: Chavarry must resign as Attorney General and Supreme Prosecutor

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