Prosecutors to investigate Peru’s president for influence peddling
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Public Prosecutor’s Office will investigate Peruvian President Pedro Castillo for the alleged crime of influence peddling in a case of promotions to military members of the Armed Forces and summoned him to testify on August 4, informed the entity.
“The Prosecutor of the Nation decided to leave without effect the provision that suspended the investigation to the President of the Republic, for the alleged crime against the Public Administration – Influence Peddling, as the author,” the prosecutor’s office said on Twitter.
“Likewise, it is ordered to initiate a preliminary investigation against the president, and he is summoned to testify on August 4,” it added.
The investigation had been suspended in January by the former prosecutor of the Nation, Zoraida Ávalos, under the argument that the president could not be investigated while he was in office.
The prosecutor’s office summoned to testify the business people Karelim López (July 18) and Zamir Villaverde (July 19), who are being investigated for another case of alleged corruption; the ex-secretary of the Presidency Bruno Pacheco (August 3), who is a fugitive from justice; and six officers of the Peruvian Army who were not identified.
The investigations for influence peddling started from the complaint in December for alleged irregularities from the government in the promotion process of officers of the Armed Forces.
The case came to light through the testimony of retired Army and Air Force general commanders.
Castillo’s lawyer, Benji Espinoza, requested the Attorney General, Patricia Benavides, to annul her decision to initiate a preliminary investigation of the president.
On June 17, Castillo testified before a prosecutor investigating him for alleged influence peddling, criminal organization, and aggravated collusion in a case involving two nephews and two former trusted officials.
The term of office of Castillo, a 52-year-old rural teacher, ends in July 2026.
With information from AFP
Read More from The Rio Times