Israeli entrepreneur Gil Shavit was detained at Lima's Jorge Chavez International Airport as part of probes into his links to former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, currently a fugitive from justice in the United States.
According to local daily La Republica, Shavit is currently under investigation for his alleged involvement in Brazilian corruption-tainted Odebrecht's wrongdoings in Peru.
The businessman would have participated in a bribe by the construction conglomerate to secure the Costa Verde project.
In addition, Shavit would have failed to appear in court after being summoned by the Prosecutor's Office to explain his ties to the ex-President. As a result, Anticorruption Prosecutor Hamilton Castro submitted a preventive detention request against him.
The Israeli citizen was arrested as he tried to leave the country. He is believed to be part of Toledo's close circle of friends, Peru 21 newspaper reported.
Toledo - Odebrecht
As is known, Alejandro Toledo is wanted for influence peddling and asset laundering charges within the framework of the massive Odebrecht graft case.
He has been accused of receiving US$20 million in bribes from the firm to secure the Inter-Oceanic Highway contract, a major infrastructure venture connecting Peru and Brazil.
Peruvian authorities have submitted a preventive detention request against Toledo with extradition purposes.
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Published: 4/3/2017