Peru: Prosecutors refuse to replace Vela and Perez in Lava Jato case

11:31 | Lima, Jan. 2.

Prosecutors Frank Almanza and Marcial Paucar on Wednesday declined to join the Public Ministry's Lava Jato Case Special Team, less than 48 hours after being appointed to the job by Attorney General Pedro Chavarry to replace Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez.

"Yesterday, I had a conversation with Almanza and for the sake of the institution, for the sake of the biggest corruption investigation in the country, and in order not to hinder the probe; today we, Almanza and I, have submitted our refusal to accept the post," Paucar told reporters.

Likewise, the prosecutor indicated the Executive Branch's bill —aimed at declaring the Public Ministry in state of emergency— influenced the decision they both made.

Earlier, Prosecutor Almanza informed he was not interested in taking the job as the Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group Coordinator, adding Vela should remain in the post.

Attorney General Pedro Chavarry decided to remove Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez from the Lava Jato case on New Year's Eve.

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 Prosecutors Vela and Perez in the case.

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) CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 1/2/2019

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Peru: Prosecutors refuse to replace Vela and Perez in Lava Jato case

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