Peru’s former president, Ollanta Humala, has been found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison, along with his wife Nadine Heredia. The couple accepted millions of dollars from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht and Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez to fund their election campaigns in 2006 and 2011.
Humala’s lawyer plans to appeal against the conviction. His wife was granted safe passage to Brazil after seeking asylum in the Brazilian embassy. In contrast, Humala will serve his sentence at Barbadillo prison, where two other former leaders are already being held.
This is not the first time Peruvian officials have faced allegations related to the Odebrecht scandal. Former president Pedro Castillo, Alejandro Toledo, and Alan García have all been investigated or sentenced in connection with the scandal. The investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors accusing Humala and his wife of receiving millions from Odebrecht.
Humala’s legal troubles began after Odebrecht admitted to bribing Latin American government officials and political parties with hundreds of millions of dollars to win business. He faced investigations and was placed in pre-trial detention, but the sentences were later reduced. Today’s verdict marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Odebrecht scandal in Peru.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c33z6kn7xvyo