Peru: Pedro Castillo's Relative Receives Prison Time While Being Investigated for Corruption
The relative of Peru President Pedro Castillo was vested with prison time on Sunday, while she was investigated for several issues, including corruption.
According to Associated Press, the decision was vested by a Peruvian judge, charging Yenifer Paredes, 26, for up to two and a half years in prison.
It should be noted that Paredes was not yet charged with any crime, but she will spend time in prison while the prosecutors continue to carry out their investigations, per Al Jazeera.
Peruvian Judge Johnny Gomes underscored that the decision was made because Paredes has a "high probability of fleeing."
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Pres. Pedro Castillo's Relative Gets Prison Time Over Alleged Corruption
Originally, the preventive detention that was requested for Paredes was 36 months. But that time frame changed on Monday, even though the prosecutor's office in Peru noted that they supported the previous request.
On August 10, the police from Peru raided the private home of Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, in search of his sister-in-law, whom he previously referred to as his daughter.
Images from television broadcasts showed agents entering Castillo's home in the Cajamarca region.
The head of the military house in the Government Palace reportedly declined to hand over security camera images as the prosecution tried to verify Paredes' presence in the building.
Paredes later turned herself into the prosecutor's office. She is currently serving 18 days while being questioned at a police station.
According to the prosecution, Paredes helped one company to obtain a project despite not having the economic capacity to guarantee its completion.
Paredes was also accused of being involved in a criminal network. A public ministry representative showed notebooks with notes of alleged money payments to members of the alleged crime network as evidence.
Other Relatives of Pres. Pedro Castillo and Officials Involved in Alleged Money Laundering
Paredes is not the only relative of Pedro Castillo accused of being involved in the alleged corruption.
Prosecutors accused Transportation Minister Geiner Alvarado and an unknown town mayor of being a member of a criminal group that created companies to launder money. The coordinator of the alleged group was reportedly Castilo's wife and three other relatives, including Paredes.
Because of this, prosecutors also petitioned Peru's First Lady Lilia Paredes to be banned from travel for at least three years.
Previously, Castillo pointed out that his opponents will "pull all the stops" to continue to target his family, parents, and brothers." However, he noted that such a move will never break him.
President Pedro Castillo is not a stranger to prosecution. The president is besieged with scandals in his 13 months in office. However, he denies any wrongdoing and has accused prosecutors of attempting to remove him from his post.
Although prosecutors moved aggressively with Castillo's inner circle, prosecutors cannot charge or detain the Peruvian president while he remains in office.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written By: Joshua Summers
WATCH: Prosecutors Expand Probe of Peru's President Pedro Castillo - From Al Jazeera English
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