The Peruvian Prosecutor's Office opens a fourth investigation against President Pedro Castillo

The president would have intervened in the purchase of biodiesel for Petroperú, for which the prosecutor accuses him of influence peddling

MADRID, 23 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Peruvian Prosecutor's Office announced this Friday the opening of a fourth investigation against the Peruvian president, Pedro Castillo, after annulling the suspension established by a judge to initiate proceedings against the president for alleged crimes for the purchase of biodiesel in Petroperú .

"The Office of the Prosecutor of the Nation has decided to nullify Provision Number 1 of January 4, 2022, which suspended the initiation of acts of preliminary investigation into the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo, until the end of his presidential term," he said. detailed the Public Ministry in a statement on Twitter.

According to the Public Ministry, Castillo would have intervened in the purchase of biodiesel for Petroperú in favor of the company Heaven Petroleum Operators S.A., for which he is accused of a crime against the public administration and influence peddling, reported 'El Comercio'.

This is the fourth current investigation against President Pedro Castillo in the office of the Peruvian Prosecutor's Office, according to the Peruvian newspaper 'Diario Correo'.

The first two investigations deal with an alleged mafia that operated in the Ministry of Transportation and Communications --Puente Tarata Case-- and for alleged interference in the promotion process of the Armed Forces.

According to the Prosecutor's Office, Castillo would be the head of a criminal organization active in the Ministry of Transport and Communications in complicity with the former holder of this portfolio, Juan Silva -- who is currently wanted and captured.

Officials from Provías Nacional and Provías Descentralizado, from the Presidential Office, as well as from businessmen and third parties, all with the aim of favoring the Puente Tarata III consortium and other companies in public bidding processes, would also have participated in the criminal organization.

Likewise, the Peruvian Public Ministry has accused the Peruvian president of leading an alleged criminal organization dedicated to the promotion of officers of the Armed Forces and the National Police related to the president.

According to the hypothesis of the prosecutor handling the case, Castillo's former adviser, Bruno Pacheco, and former Defense Minister Walter Ayala "would have operationalized and materialized the criminal project", thanks to which, together with the president, they would have benefited financially.

The third investigation, which dates back to July 21, has been opened after former Interior Minister Mariano González -- who was in office until July 20 -- accused Castillo of trying to hinder the work of the Intelligence Services of the country so that they would not find the whereabouts of the fugitives Bruno Pacheco, Juan Silva and Fray Vásquez Castillo, nephew of the president.

"I have no doubt of the commitment that the man has with corruption and I have no doubt that this abrupt departure has to do with obstructing the administration of justice (...). I think he is preventing the work of intelligence agents for reasons that citizens should know about," said González in an interview with Panamericana Televisión.

After these words, the Prosecutor's Office summoned former Minister González to testify on Wednesday, who was dismissed by surprise at the beginning of the week and gave way to Willy Huerta, who is already the seventh in charge of the Interior since Castillo took office about a year ago.

On the other hand, the president of Peru has asked Congress to put aside the "useless confrontation", and has reiterated that from the Government "they will always respect the independence of powers" in the process of electing the new board of directors.

"I make a call to the Congress of the Republic so that, once and for all, we stop this useless confrontation that is not good for the country," Castillo asserted.

"A year of management in this Government and the detractors until now have not been able to find proof because their mission is another, their profile that comes today as politicians is another. We are for the will of this country", has demonstrating, calling on the public not to be distracted by fake news.

Likewise, the Peruvian president has assured that his Government is democratic, respects the constitutional rights of the people and that it has come through the will of the people.

"I make a call to tell you that the Government is not going to interfere in the work that is to come, because we have to be respectful of the powers of the State. There will be no interference," he commented in reference to the election of the next Board of Directors that the Legislative Branch will hold on July 26.