Latest news with #MartinVizcarra
Al Jazeera
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Former Peruvian president imprisoned over corruption allegations
A judge in the South American nation of Peru has ordered the country's ex-president, Martin Vizcarra, to be held in pre-trial detention over bribery allegations. In a hearing on Wednesday, Judge Jorge Chavez ordered Vizcarra jailed for five months, saying he is a flight risk. He stands accused of accepting bribes during his tenure as governor of the Moquegua region 11 years ago. Vizcarra is the fifth ex-president to be detained in Peru, which has been rocked by numerous scandals and political crises over the last several years. Peru has had six presidents since 2018. For his part, Vizcarra has denied the charges against him, stating that they are a form of political persecution. He had planned to run for president again in 2026. A judge had turned down a previous request to detain him in June, but the public ministry insisted that he was a flight risk and appealed the decision. His lawyers have said that he will seek to appeal his detention. Three other ex-presidents, Alejandro Toledo, Ollanta Humala and Pedro Castillo, are currently being held in a special facility built for former leaders of the country in a police base in the capital of Lima. Vizcarra, who was investigated and removed from office by Congress in 2020, will likely join them there. Critics have accused Peru's Congress of launching scurrilous impeachment efforts against political rivals, using vague charges such as 'moral incapacity'. The facility first housed former President Alberto Fujimori, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2009 for human rights abuses committed during his period of dictatorial rule. He was controversially pardoned in 2023, in defiance of an order from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and died of cancer the following year. President Dina Boluarte, who came into office after former President Castillo was imprisoned after trying to dissolve Congress, signed a law earlier today offering amnesty to government security officials and aligned groups who committed rights abuses during the decades-long campaign against the Shining Path armed group. Rights groups condemned the amnesty bill as a form of impunity for serious abuses.
Bloomberg
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Peru Jails Yet Another Ex-President On Corruption Allegations
A Peruvian judge ordered ex-President Martin Vizcarra to be jailed for five months due to graft allegations he faces, making him the fourth former president of the Andean nation to land behind bars. Vizcarra, who governed Peru between 2018 and 2020, denies the allegations of corrupt acts, which predate his presidency.
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Vizcarra becomes latest ex-president imprisoned in Peru
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Peru's former President Martin Vizcarra gestures after a judge rejected a preventive detention request for former President Vizcarra during a court hearing, who is currently on trial for allegedly accepting bribes while serving as governor of the southern department of Moquegua, in Lima, Peru, June 27, 2025. REUTERS/Gerardo Marin/File photo LIMA - A Peruvian judge ordered the pre-trial detention for former president Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday for allegedly taking bribes while he was governor more than a decade ago. At the hearing, Judge Jorge Chavez ordered Vizcarra to be held for five months, making him the fifth former Peruvian president to be jailed in recent years. Vizcarra is accused of taking bribes equivalent to $640,000 from construction companies in exchange for public works in the Moquegua region between 2011 and 2014. Vizcarra is now likely headed to a police base in Lima specially built to house former presidents. The prison is already busy, with former Presidents Alejandro Toledo, Ollanta Humala and Pedro Castillo currently held there. Its first inmate was former President Alberto Fujimori, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2009 for human rights violations. Fujimori was pardoned in late 2023, sparking protests around the country. The former leader died of cancer the following year. Vizcarra, who has denied the charges and claimed to be a victim of political persecution, came to power in 2018 after his predecessor resigned. He was removed from office by Congress two years later when the investigations against him began. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 2 dead after fire in Jalan Bukit Merah flat, about 60 evacuated Singapore TB screenings at two pre-schools after staff member diagnosed in July Singapore HSA seeks Kpod investigators to arrest abusers, conduct anti-trafficking ops Opinion The 30s are heavy: Understanding suicide among Singapore's young adults Singapore Lawyer who sent misleading letters to 22 doctors fails in bid to quash $18,000 penalty Business Haidilao to close Clarke Quay outlet on Aug 31; exit follows 3 earlier outlet closures Singapore Jail, caning for recalcitrant drug offender who assaulted 2 cops with stun device Singapore SG60: Many hands behind Singapore's success story A previous judge had rejected the prosecutor's request detain Vizcarra in June, but the public ministry appealed the ruling, dubbing Vizcarra a flight risk. Vizcarra had also planned to run in the 2026 presidential election. Vizcarra's lawyer said he would appeal the decision. The prosecution has requested up to 15 years in prison for the former president. Peru's politics have faced constant turbulence and upheaval, cycling through six presidents since 2018 amid corruption scandals, resignations and removals. REUTERS
Reuters
3 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Vizcarra becomes latest ex-president imprisoned in Peru
LIMA, Aug 13 (Reuters) - A Peruvian judge ordered the pre-trial detention for former president Martin Vizcarra on Wednesday for allegedly taking bribes while he was governor more than a decade ago. At the hearing, Judge Jorge Chavez ordered Vizcarra to be held for five months, making him the fifth former Peruvian president to be jailed in recent years. Vizcarra is accused of taking bribes equivalent to $640,000 from construction companies in exchange for public works in the Moquegua region between 2011 and 2014. Vizcarra is now likely headed to a police base in Lima specially built to house former presidents. The prison is already busy, with former Presidents Alejandro Toledo, Ollanta Humala and Pedro Castillo currently held there. Its first inmate was former President Alberto Fujimori, who was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2009 for human rights violations. Fujimori was pardoned in late 2023, sparking protests around the country. The former leader died of cancer the following year. Vizcarra, who has denied the charges and claimed to be a victim of political persecution, came to power in 2018 after his predecessor resigned. He was removed from office by Congress two years later when the investigations against him began. A previous judge had rejected the prosecutor's request detain Vizcarra in June, but the public ministry appealed the ruling, dubbing Vizcarra a flight risk. Vizcarra had also planned to run in the 2026 presidential election. Vizcarra's lawyer said he would appeal the decision. The prosecution has requested up to 15 years in prison for the former president. Peru's politics have faced constant turbulence and upheaval, cycling through six presidents since 2018 amid corruption scandals, resignations and removals.
