Peru's Executive Branch is providing all resources and logistics necessary to bring former President Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006) to Peruvian justice, Justice and Human Rights Minister Maria Soledad Perez Tello affirmed.
In this respect, Minister Perez Tello assured the Executive is supporting all arrangements to deliver
information and coordinate with the United States Department of State, as well as the U.S. Department of Justice.
In addition, she noted the government has already pondered the possibility of seeking legal advice from a U.S. law firm to support the Peruvian State "when the time comes."
"We have already assessed the possibility of hiring lawyers; we already have the three names we are going to propose to the State's Legal Defense Council […]," she told local Canal N news station.
In this sense, Perez Tello assured said candidates are "top-tier" and "experienced" professionals, so the Ministry "is confident the process will produce expected results."
Likewise, the Justice head reiterated the government's commitment to combat corruption.
"We allocated [S/]20 million [about US$6.1 million] to the Judicial Branch and [S/]10 [about US$3.05 million] to the Public Ministry, which is proof that the Executive is geared towards facilitating and providing all resources and logistics to bring the ex-President [Toledo] and all fugitives from justice to take responsibility for their actions," she 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) DHT/MVB