No political persecution against ex-Peru president Garcia — Prosecutor

LIMA: Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez has ruled out the existence of political persecution against former President Alan Garcia, who is currently under corruption investigation over the Odebrecht case.

“The Public Ministry carries out an adequate and objective work within the corresponding terms,” Perez told Canal N local channel.

The Prosecutor was asked about ex-President Alan Garcia’s asylum request to the Uruguayan Government.

“At the hearing, last Saturday, the investigated person (Alan Garcia) complied with the Prosecutor’s request. There was neither questioning nor opposition (…),” Perez pointed out.

Moreover, the former Head of State said he would respect the travel ban imposed on him by the Judiciary.

A Peruvian Judge on Saturday approved Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez’s request to forbid Garcia from leaving the country for 18 months.

The same day Garcia entered the Uruguayan Ambassador’s residence with the purpose of requesting asylum.

Meanwhile, the NGO National Coordinator for Human Rights (CNDDHH) said it is not legal to grant asylum to people —who request it at the same time they have been accused or condemned by regular courts for common crimes.

Furthermore, it said the ex-President violated the travel ban — imposed on him by the Judiciary— the moment he entered the Uruguayan Ambassador’s residence in order to ask for asylum, thus posing risk of flight. — Bernama

The CNDDHH said the Public Ministry should request preventive prison for Garcia.

“We warn the national and international public opinion there is no political persecution in Peru. The rule of law has not been broken either, as the ex-President Garcia claims,” the CNDDHH said.

“For that reason, we urge the Republic of Uruguay not to grant the asylum requested by ex-President Garcia, since it lacks legal and political grounds,” it stated.

As is known, Brazilian construction giant and corruptiontainted Odebrecht allegedly paid bribes to secure the Lima Metro Line 1 contract during Garcia’s presidency (2006-2011).

Garcia served as President of Peru between 1985-1990 and 20062011.

— Reuters photo Demonstrators protest against Garcia near the residence of the Uruguayan ambassador in Peru, where the former President is seeking asylum, according to Peru’s government, in Lima, Peru.