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Peru: Prosecutors to interrogate ex-Odebrecht executives in Brazil

12:27 | Lima, Jul. 1.

Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group will interrogate former Odebrecht Executives Jorge Barata and Ricardo Boleira in Brazil on July 16-19, Prosecutor Rafael Vela has informed.

In this sense, Vela indicated they will question them not only about the information which has already been delivered to the Prosecutor's Office, but also about the data that is currently being sent, within the framework of the commitments assumed by the construction company in the collaboration agreement signed with the Public Ministry.

For that reason, he stressed this new interrogation will be more thorough.

Likewise, the prosecutor recalled the Public Ministry can investigate Odebrecht without any restrictions, even if the construction company has not admitted guilt in any case.

Concerning the 17 illegal transfers from Odebrecht —linked to the Southern Gas Pipeline (Gasoducto del Sur)—, Vela pointed out they have not decoded all the information yet.

"All of this must be decoded by the people who are involved in it," he told Cuarto Poder TV show on Sunday night.

The magistrate went on to add there is already an open probe on the Southern Gas Pipeline —led by Prosecutor Geovana Mori— and that no hypothesis has been ruled out.

Odebrecht allegedly paid US$3.07 million for the awarding of the Southern Gas Pipeline during ex-President Ollanta Humala's (2011-2016) term in office, Convoca investigative journalism site reported days ago.

Odebrecht

In mid-February, Peru's Lava Jato Case Special Prosecution Group signed the long-awaited collaboration agreement with Odebrecht representatives and former employees in Brazil. The accord did not include the Southern Gas Pipeline project.

This deal was intended to procure evidence and testimonies for the investigation of corruption cases in the Andean nation.

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— allegedly received money from Odebrecht for her 2011 campaign.

Ex Lima Mayor Susana Villaran also admitted that Odebrecht and OAS had financed an anti-recall campaign during her tenure between 2011 and 2014. She currently serves a 24-month preventive detention.

The corresponding civil reparations amounts to S/610 million (around US$182 million), which will be paid in a period of 15 years with a guarantee trust.

Besides, legal interests —which reach S/150 million (around US$44 million)—, SUNAT's enforceable debt payments —worth S/435 million (around US$130 million)—, and the S/65 million (US$19 million) —which have already been paid— must be added to this figure.

Thus, the civil reparations' figure reaches S/1.260 billion (around US$377 million).

(END) RMCH/CCR/DTK/MVB

Published: 7/1/2019

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Peru: Prosecutors to interrogate ex-Odebrecht executives in Brazil

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