2024-07-04 03:15:21
The Former Peruvian presidential candidate Keiko Fujimorisat in the dock this Monday at the opening of the trial she faces for money laundering in the Odebrecht case, and for which she could be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.
For the past six years, The special team of prosecutors “Lava Jato” investigated the daughter of former president Alberto Fujimoriwho was pardoned in December 2023 while serving a sentence for human rights violations.
“My name is Keiko Sofía Fujimori Higuchi (…) I work as President of the Popular Force party and I earn 14,000 soles a month,” said Keiko Fujimori when presenting her statement.
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The trial could take more than a year, according to the prosecutor in the case, José Domingo Pérez, who arrived at the hearing wearing a bulletproof vest and under heavy guard. The Peruvian prosecutor’s office concluded that Fujimori He financed his 2011 and 2016 campaigns with Odebrecht money.
According to the accusation, the Brazilian construction company gave him 1.2 million dollars to Fujimori within the bribery scheme that he set up around Latin America in exchange for contracts.
Outside the courthouse, around 80 supporters gathered, shouting “Justice yes, revenge no! Keiko is innocent.” Police intervened to prevent clashes with a small group of opponents of the leader.
Former Odebrecht bosses said they handed out millions of dollars to Peruvian politicians, Among them Fujimori and four former presidents: Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2018-2016), Ollanta Humala (2011-2016), Alan García (1985-1990 and 2006-2011) and Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006).
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When he was going to be arrested as part of the investigations, former President García committed suicide with a firearm, currently Peru is the country hardest hit by the Odebrecht scandal, after Brazil.
In addition to this trial, the Peruvian judicial system is prosecuting former presidents Humala and Toledo in parallel.
(With information from AFP)
MC
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2024-07-04 03:15:21