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Peru: Prosecutor expects Keiko Fujimori's preventive detention appeal to be rejected

16:10 | Lima, Feb. 6.

Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group member Jose Domingo Perez on Thursday expressed confidence that the judge in charge of assessing the appeal filed by Keiko Fujimori's defense will reject said document, since it was delivered once the legal deadline had expired.

In this sense, the prosecutor indicated that all citizens "are equal before the law," including the politicians: Keiko Fujimori, Alejandro Toledo, Susana Villaran, and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski. Thus, "there can be no differentiated or special jurisdictions or acts."

"It is OK that the Constitutional Court (TC) sped up the habeas corpus proceeding in order to release Keiko Fujimori (from preventive detention), but that does not happen with all the citizens of Peru," he stated.

Perez said that —in the case of the appeal against the 15-month preventive detention of Fujimori Higuchi— the deadline to submit this appeal was three days, "and each citizen is granted that period."

"So, why would Keiko Fujimori be the exception? That is why I have suggested the appeal annulment. I'm confident the judge will analyze that aspect, which he had not previously taken into account, and the appeal will be rejected," he concluded.

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

Preventive detention

On January 28, the

Judicial Branch ordered the preventive detention of former presidential candidate Keiko Fujimori for 15 months. She is investigated over money laundering offenses and other crimes, for having allegedly received contributions from Brazilian company Odebrecht in 2011 and 2016.

Judge Victor Zuñiga from the Fourth National Preparatory Investigation Court Specialized in Organized Crime and Corruption by Officials declared well founded the Public Ministry's petition that served to request 18 months and two days in prison for the former Congresswoman (2006-2011) and First Lady (1994-2000). In Peru, the Public Ministry is independent from the Executive Branch.

While explaining his decision, Judge Zuñiga stated that the preventive detention was appropriate, adequate, necessary, and proportionally strict.

After presenting his arguments, the magistrate found elements of conviction that configure "serious suspicion" to determine it is convenient that Fujimori serves preventive detention, so she will not obstruct justice while the Prosecutor's Office prepares the accusation against her.

On November 29, 2019, Fujimori Higuchi had regained her freedom after the Constitutional Court (TC) annulled the preventive detention she had been serving since November 2018 over alleged money laundering charges.

(END) JCC/RMCH/MVB

Published: 2/6/2020

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Peru: Prosecutor expects Keiko Fujimori's preventive detention appeal to be rejected

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