Andina

Peru: Ex-President Humala, wife transferred to prison for 18-month pretrial detention

15:49 | Lima, Jul. 14.

Former Peruvian President Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) and wife Nadine Heredia on Friday afternoon were transferred to the prisons where they will serve preventive detention as ordered by a judge on Thursday evening.

Having overnighted at Lima-based Justice Palace's holding cell, Humala was taken to Barbadillo prison situated at National Police Special Operations Unit (Diroes) headquarters.

Heredia, on the other hand, was sent to women's prison in Chorrillos district (formerly known as Santa Monica).

As expected, the couple was transported under heavy security measures, including a helicopter ride, as occurred in the case of Humala Tasso.

They will now wait for trial behind bars following a judicial resolution ordering 18-month preventive detention issued on Thursday evening. 

As is known, the ex-President and former First Lady are accused of allegedly having received gains from the Government of Venezuela, as well as corruption-tainted Odebrecht and OAS to fund presidential campaigns in 2006 and 2011, respectively.

In addition, the remainder of said resources would have been used to purchase a vehicle and a property, which Heredia had allegedly justified by forging professional services contracts with a number of companies. 

Charges are backed by the statements of former Odebrecht executives Jorge Barata and Marcelo Odebrecht, as well as bank statements matching Heredia's incriminating journals. 

Humala was sworn in as President of Peru on July 28, 2011, and served for a five-year term.
 

(END) FHG/DHT/RMB

Published: 7/14/2017