Peru: Opposition leader Keiko Fujimori released from prison
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Peruvian opposition leader Keiko Fujimori was released from prison this Monday, May 4, following a decision by an appeals court, after three months of pretrial detention in the context of the Odebrecht corruption scandal.
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Read moreWearing a mask and white gloves, the eldest daughter of ex-president Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) left the women's prison in Chorrillos, south of Lima, and got into a taxi to go home. She cannot leave Lima without prior authorization and must check in once a month with a court office.
A court of appeal had ordered his release on May 1 against a bond of 70,000 soles (about 19,000 euros) and on the condition of not living with her husband, the American Mark Vito Villanella, implicated in the same corruption investigation.
Risks of coronavirus in prison
Keiko Fujimori, 44, recently requested a suspension from pre-trial detention due to the risks of the coronavirus epidemic in prison. But the justice system finally responded to an earlier request for release presented by his defense.
Before leaving prison, the head of the opposition expressed her intention to undergo a coronavirus test before any contact with her relatives. Peruvian television stations showed images of an employee of a private laboratory waiting outside her home.
Illegal funds raised for his 2011 presidential campaign
Considered the most influential person in Peru between 2016 and 2018, Keiko Fujimori, leader of the Fuerza Popular party (populist right), is accused of having received funds from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht for his 2011 electoral campaign. $ 1.12 million undeclared to support his failed presidential campaign.
Four former presidents of Peru were implicated in this scandal: Alejandro Toledo (2001-2006), Alan Garcia (1985-1990 and 2006-2011), who committed suicide, Ollanta Humala (2011-2016) and Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018). All are suspected of having received money from the Brazilian group, which admitted having paid $ 29 million in bribes between 2005 and 2014.
After already spending thirteen months in pre-trial detention, Keiko Fujimori was released in November 2019 by the constitutional court. She returned to prison last January . His People's Force party then lost the absolute majority it held in Parliament during the legislative elections. It is only the sixth political force in Peru .
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