Peru’s top prosecutor accuses president of leading criminal organization

By Laura Gamba

BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - Peru's top prosecutor filed a constitutional complaint Tuesday in Congress against President Pedro Castillo, accusing him of leading a criminal organization and other corruption offenses.

The complaint is based on “serious indications” that Castillo allegedly obtained economic benefits from appointing people in key positions, charged illegal percentages of money to award bids and used his presidency to benefit himself and his family, the Prosecutor's Office said on Twitter.

“We have found very serious indications of the existence of a criminal organization entrenched in the Government Palace with the purpose of taking over, controlling and directing contracting processes in order to obtain illicit profits," said Prosecutor Patricia Benavides.

The Peruvian head of state and his wife Lilia Paredes are facing six investigations for allegedly leading a network that fraudulently awards public works tenders.

The news of the investigation was announced on the same day that prosecutors raided the home of the president’s sister, who is allegedly involved in acts of corruption. Castillo said the raid on his sister’s home was an “abusive act.”

Although Peruvian presidents normally have immunity against criminal cases, the constitutional complaint would allow Congress to carry out a trial that could lead to his suspension from office.

Castillo has denied any wrongdoing and claims that the accusations are part of a conspiracy orchestrated by opposition parties wanting to oust him. After the charges were announced, he said he was facing "a new modality of coup d'état.”

Although Castillo has only been in power for a year, he has faced several proceedings against him. The president survived two impeachment attempts after opposition parties in Congress failed to obtain enough votes to approve them, but he has seen his popularity crash amid corruption allegations.