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Peru: Supreme Prosecutors demand Attorney General's resignation

10:16 | Lima, Jan. 3.

Supreme Prosecutors Pablo Sanchez and Zoraida Avalos demanded the immediate resignation of Peru's Attorney General Pedro Chavarry for his interference in the Lava Jato case and for infringing the Public Ministry's image.

In a statement, they said the removal of Prosecutors Rafael Vela and Jose Domingo Perez from the Odebrecht case constituted severe interference in the investigations into an emblematic case of national interest.

"Even though the decision was reversed, the Attorney General's behavior has affected the normal development of the investigation, thus generating a situation of chaos and confusion within our institution," reads the release.

The prosecutors underlined that Chavarry's behavior "greatly infringes the Public Ministry's image as a constitutionally autonomous organization, generates mistrust, and discredits it (the institution) in the eyes of the public opinion —both national and international."

"Considering the institutional crisis at the Public Ministry cannot keep the Attorney General in power anymore, as he is —evidently— the cause of such situation, we demand his irrevocable resignation from the post for the good of the institution," they expressed.

Attorney General Chavarry —on New Year's Eve— decided to remove Prosecutors 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 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) SMA/RMB/MVB

Published: 1/3/2019
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