President’s brother arrested in Peru corruption scandal

THE embattled Peruvian president’s brother and lawyer have been arrested, marking the latest twist in a corruption inquiry that has rocked the country’s highest echelons.

Dina Boluarte, the president, has been embroiled in the “Rolexgate” scandal since March, after prosecutors began an investigation into how she was wearing jewellery worth at least £400,000 despite earning a monthly presidential salary of about £3,320.

Ms Boluarte, 61, has denied any wrongdoing and said she had been loaned the watches.

Now Ms Boluarte’s brother Nicanor has been placed under preliminary detention, accused of influence peddling and leading a criminal organisation in an investigation called “the brothers in the shadow”.

His house in the capital Lima was one of more than 20 properties searched on Friday.

“I am innocent... I deny absolutely everything,” he said as he was transferred by the police to a judicial unit.

Ms Boluarte’s lawyer Mateo Castañeda was also placed under preliminary detention on Friday and his home raided. also detained.

Authorities also said they are investigating the president for disbanding a special police force that had been investigating her brother.

A spokesman for the president told a press conference on Friday evening that the police unit had been dissolved for failure to comply with administrative norms and that the government respected the laws and judicial autonomy.

Peruvian politics has been beset with political turmoil in recent years – Ms Boluarte is the sixth president since 2018.

Since the millennium, almost all the South American country’s presidents have ended up in jail, on the run, dead, or embroiled in corruption allegations.

Ms Boluarte’s predecessor, Pedro Castillo, was dismissed in December 2022 and is being held in jail while he is investigated for alleged corruption and rebellion.

Ms Boluarte has the lowest popularity ranking of all Latin American leaders, with 9 per cent citizen support. She has also been accused of presiding over the killings of 49 people by security forces during protests in 2023.