Andina

Peruvian Lava Jato prosecutors to interrogate former OAS executives

10:45 | Lima, Mar. 15.

Five former executives from Brazilian construction company OAS will be interrogated by Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group within the framework of the collaboration agreement negotiated by the Public Ministry, Prosecutor Rafael Vela has informed.

According to him, OAS decided to accept the accord and be subjected to Peruvian laws. 

However —due to legal restrictions— the prosecutor could not provide the names of the executives. 

"The accord includes the admission of guilt in many facts and events during the development of their commercial activities and the determination to collaborate with Peru's justice administration system without any restrictions," Vela told Canal N news channel. 

Likewise, the agreement will enable Peruvian prosecutors to access the Brazilian company's documents. 

With regards to its participation in the Inca country's construction sector, OAS is ranked behind Odebrecht

Concerning the postponement of the interrogation of former Odebrecht representative in Peru Jorge Barata, Prosecutor Vela explained the team opted for waiting for the arrival of statement transcripts from Curitiba so they could be included in the proceedings.

"We asked for the rescheduling due to matters related to the bureaucracy's speed," he expressed. 

Furthermore, the special team was consolidating the collaboration agreement with OAS.


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) RMCH/SMA/DTK/MVB

Published: 3/15/2019