Probes and legal actions relating to the Odebrecht graft scandal are following corresponding process in compliance with international arbitration courts, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski affirmed on Thursday.
Regarding demands to speed up Public Ministry–Prosecutor's Office actions, the Head of State highlighted the investigation must strictly follow the corresponding process.
"Despite the undoubtedly well-grounded criticism [of the process' pace], we must follow the due process. Otherwise, we would expose ourselves to international demands at the ICSID [International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes], which can be costly in the long run," he explained.
As is known, the Brazilian conglomerate admitted to having distributed bribes worth approximately US$29 million in Peru to secure infrastructure contracts.
As a result, the family-owned giant benefited from over US$143 million in 2005-2014.
"It seems there was corruption [in Odebrecht's public contracts with Peru]. Despite allegations swirling around for years, the two previous administrations [led by Alan Garcia and Ollanta Humala] carried on negotiating [with Odebrecht]. That's the main criticism," he expressed.
Likewise, the statesman took the opportunity to distance himself from the execution of the Interoceanic Highway, allegedly awarded to the Brazilian giant after grafting off government officials.
In this sense, Mr. Kuczynski stressed "not a single inch" of the said venture was constructed during Alejandro Toledo's presidency (2001-2006), when he served as Finance and Prime Minister.
Trust
On the other hand, the top official ratified that once Odebrecht sells its stake in the Southern Gas Pipeline, profits will go to a trust to pay damages to the Peruvian State as determined by the Judicial Branch.
The Brazilian conglomerate will also sell its stake in the Olmos Irrigation Project (Lambayeque region) and the Chaglla Hydropower Plant (Huanuco region), the President informed.
"It is all on sale, so now we have to work on the trusts to collect corresponding penalties once the Judiciary does its job," he added.
Remarks were made from Huarochiri province's San Antonio district in Lima region, where the statesman supervised water and sanitation works this morning.
(END) MVF/CCR/DHT/MVB