Andina

Raid on former Peruvian President's home concludes

LIMA, PERÚ - ENERO 25. Candidato presidencial, Alejandro Toledo de Perú Posible, participa del programa de TV Andina, Mirada Electoral. Foto: ANDINA/Vidal Tarqui

13:30 | Lima, Feb. 4.

Peruvian Prosecutors investigating the Odebrecht case on Saturday completed a raid carried out on former President Alejandro Toledo's home in Lima's upper-class La Molina district.

Lead Anticorruption Prosecutor Hamilton Castro left the premises carrying two boxes of documents, videos and two safes. He refrained from making statements to the press. 

The National Police and prosecutors began searching the property at 3.00 AM. The raid lasted over 8 hours. 

Toledo, who served as Peru's President in 2001-2006, has been accused of receiving bribes from corruption-tainted Odebrecht, La Republica newspaper revealed on Friday.

As is known, Toledo was the main political rival of former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) in the 2000 elections. Currently, Fujimori serves a 25-year sentence in Lima for crimes against humanity. His administration was also accused of corruption.

Toledo would have received US$20 million from the Brazilian conglomerate to secure the Inter-oceanic Highway contract. 

Payments allegedly started in 2005 and were made to offshore firms run by Toledo's friend Israeli citizen Josef Maiman, an unknown source revealed during plea-bargain talks.

Once analyzed by the Public Ministry, material seized in the raid will be used to determine the next steps in the investigation.  

It must be noted Toledo is currently abroad.
 
(END) CVC/FHG/DHT/MVB

Published: 2/4/2017