Peru removes Ambassador Bustamante from post, opens investigation into him

14:34 | Lima, Jun. 14.

Peru's Foreign Affairs Ministry on Friday announced Ambassador Cesar E. Bustamante Llosa will be removed from his position as Director-General of Peruvian Communities Abroad and Consular Affairs, as well as from other posts to which he was assigned.

The announcement came after the disclosure that he had helped ex-Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza obtain diplomatic passports. As is known, Hinostroza left the Inca country in October 2018 despite a travel ban.

In a recent statement, the Foreign Affairs office said that Minister Nestor Popolizio has decided to conduct an inquiry into the facts right away.

According to the document, ministerial authorities did not know about Bustamante Llosa's links to Hinostroza, which are been investigated already.

"The aforementioned diplomat did not inform of any previous conversation or personal relationship with ex-Supreme Judge Cesar Hinostroza," reads the statement.

"From now on, Ambassador Cesar Enrique Bustamante Llosa is removed from his post as Director-General of Peruvian Communities Abroad and Consular Affairs, as well as from other posts to which he was appointed," it added.

About the case

Cesar Hinostroza is considered by the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office as the head of the criminal organization known as 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.

In Peru, the Public Ministry is independent from the Executive Branch.

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.

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

On April 11, 2019, 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.

He will be extradited from Spain after its National High Court accepted the request made by Peru.

(END) CCR/RMB/MVB

Published: 6/14/2019

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