Peru's Judicial Branch Chairman Duberli Rodriguez on Monday called on the United States to accept the preventive detention request submitted against former President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), a fugitive from justice currently in the North American country.
"What I am urging —as I am not entitled to give orders to a U.S. judge— is that the North American Justice agrees to our petition, invoking the extradition treaty, which is a mutual obligation binding both nations," he told State-run TV Peru station.
As is known, the said request was submitted to the United States on February 14 and remains under process.
"A U.S. judge may say it [documentation] is not complete. However, if an omission is identified, they should notify the Peruvian party of it [...]," he pointed out.
Toledo-Odebrecht case
The former President faces influence peddling and asset laundering charges within the framework of the Odebrecht graft case.
He has been accused of receiving US$20 million in bribes from Brazilian conglomerate Odebrecht to secure the Inter-Oceanic Highway contract, a major infrastructure venture connecting Peru and Brazil.
As a result, the Peruvian Judiciary has ordered his preventive detention for an 18-month period. An arrest warrant has also been issued, both at national and international levels.
(END) JCC/CCR/DHT/MVB