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Judge Bars Ex-Peru Leader From Leaving Nation For 18 Months (view source)
Revision as of 09:17, 23 December 2020
, 09:17, 23 December 2020Created page with "<br>LIMA, Peru (AP) - A judge barred former Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra from leaving the nation for 18 months Friday while prosecutors investigate bribery allegations..."
<br>LIMA, Peru (AP) - A judge barred former Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra from leaving the nation for 18 months Friday while prosecutors investigate bribery allegations that Congress used to oust him, plunging the nation into a political crisis.<br> <br>Judge María de los Ángeles Álvarez agreed with prosecutors that Vizcarra could present a flight risk, given the seriousness of the accusations, though he will still be allowed to move freely within the country until the order expires.<br> <br>The case against the popular leader - whose ouster has been criticized by international organizations - is still in the preliminary stage.<br><br>Prosecutors are investigating whether Vizcarra received over $630,000 while serving as governor of a small province in southern Peru in exchange for two construction projects.<br> <br>Vizcarra forcefully denied the charges Monday before Congress, but lawmakers utilized a provision within Peru´s laws dating back to the 19th century that allows them to remove a president on the grounds of "moral incapacity."<br> <br>Their decision has sparked daily protests by Peruvians accusing Congress - half of whose members themselves are under investigation - of abusing the constitution. The demonstrators are refusing to recognize the new government of Manuel Merino, a [http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&gl=us&tbm=nws&q=little-known%20politician&gs_l=news little-known politician] who was previously head of the legislature.<br> <br>Prosecutor Germán Juárez said the allegations come from two confidential witnesses accused in a separate corruption case but that additional evidence has also been found.<br><br>Vizcarra allegedly provided information that helped set the price on a winning bid for a construction project and requested 2% in return, according to their testimony.<br> Police officers shield themselves from rocks thrown by protesters who were trying to march to Congress in a demonstration against the removal of President Martin Vizcarra, in Lima, Peru, Thursday, Nov.<br><br>12, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html kynghidongduong.vn] 2020. On Tuesday, [https://www.kynghidongduong.vn/tours/tour-du-lich-trung-khanh-cuu-trai-cau-thanh-do-ha-noi-sai-gon.html tour cửu trại câu] Manuel Merino was sworn in as the country's president, after the legislature voted Vizcarra out of office Monday. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)<br> <br>The prosecutor said Vizcarra allegedly remarked that the construction managers wanted to "eat the cake alone" and should share the benefits.<br> <br>He also pointed to the rental of a small plane to take several Bolivians - including now President Luis Arce - from Lima to a port city in southern Peru.<br><br>The accusers claim Vizcarra asked a construction firm to rent the plane as part of the bribe. Investigators found emails indicating the plane was indeed rented.<br> <br>Vizcarra allegedly sent a list of the passengers, which included Arce.<br> <br>Noting that Arce is now Bolivia´s president, Juárez raised questions about how that connection might contribute to this flight risk.<br> <br>"He could go to that country," he said.<br>"He could seek asylum."<br> <br>Vizcarra´s defense attorney questioned the veracity of the claims, pointing out that the witnesses have a motive to provide incriminating information since their potential jail time could be reduced. He also questioned the timing of their declarations.<br> <br>The testimony in the virtual hearing presented some of the most detailed information yet about the claims against the ex-president.<br><br>Vizcarra had become the face of Peru´s still-nascent anti-corruption movement in recent years. He pushed measures to reform how judges are chosen and tried to lift legislators´ immunity from prosecution. Those measures made him popular with Peruvians but didn´t sit well with many in Congress.<br> <br>Polls show Peruvians overwhelmingly wanted Vizcarra to stay in office, preferring that he serve out the remainder of his term, which ends in July, and then be investigated.<br><br>International organizations and analysts have questioned Congress´ use of the "moral incapacity" clause and say it put the nation´s democracy at risk.<br> A demonstrator against the removal of President Martin Vizcarra holds a poster that reads, in Spanish, "If not today when," in Lima, Peru, Thursday, Nov.<br><br>12, 2020. On Tuesday, Manuel Merino was sworn in as the country's new president, after the legislature voted Vizcarra out of office Monday. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)<br> A protester among those gathered outside the Justice Palace runs from tear gases [http://pixabay.com/en/new-zealand-waterfall-nature-launched/ launched] by riot police, in Lima, Peru, Thursday, Nov.<br><br>12, 2020. On Tuesday, Manuel Merino was sworn in as the country's president, after the legislature voted Martin Vizcarra out of office Monday. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)<br> Peru's President Martin Vizcarra waves to reporters during a press conference at the presidential palace in Lima, Peru, after lawmakers voted his impeachment on Monday, Nov.<br><br>9, 2020, (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)<br>
