Peru Prosecution Office investigates corruption allegations against President Pedro Castillo News
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Peru Prosecution Office investigates corruption allegations against President Pedro Castillo

Peru’s Prosecution Office Sunday launched an investigation into the activities of Peru President Pedro Castillo.

The investigation will look into alleged crimes including, “criminal organization, aggravated influence peddling, and aggravated collusion[.]” The Prosecution Office also stated that investigation into these crimes may uncover others. Peruvian prosecutors initially confined their investigation to former Minister of Transport and Communications Juan Silva and six congressmen but expanded it to include Castillo due to the “seriousness” of the allegations against the other officials.

Prosecutors said Castillo “will be guaranteed the full exercise of his right to defense, and respect for article 117 of the Political Constitution.”

Article 117 states the following regarding removal of head of state:

During his term of office, the President of the Republic may only be charged with: committing high treason; preventing presidential, congressional, regional, or municipal elections; dissolving Congress, except in cases as set forth in article 134 of the Constitution; and preventing the meeting or operation of Congress, the National Election Board, or other bodies of the election system.

The Prosecution Office stated that President Castillo will provide a statement “which will allow the due and necessary clarification of the facts.”