The Peruvian Prosecutor General’s Office has launched a preliminary investigation into former President Ollanta Humala over his alleged involvement in the multi-millionĀ corruptionĀ scheme by Brazilian constructionĀ companyĀ Odebrecht,Ā mediaĀ reported on Tuesday.
According toĀ Peru’s El Comercio newspaper, the former leader is alleged to have helped Odebrecht secure state contracts for the construction of the South PeruvianĀ gasĀ pipeline, while heading an executive authority together with hisĀ wife, NadineĀ Heredia, during his presidencyĀ fromĀ 2011 toĀ 2016.
The inquiry will last for eight months, the newspaper reported, adding that three former ministers are also under investigation over charges of aggravated conspiracy.
InĀ 2017, a PeruvianĀ courtĀ sentenced Humala and hisĀ wifeĀ to preliminary imprisonment for 18 months.
The ex-leader was suspected of receiving bribesĀ fromĀ construction companies Odebrecht and OAS, which were used for financing theĀ electionĀ campaigns of the Peruvian Nationalist Party in 2006 and 2011, whileĀ HerediaĀ of being involved inĀ moneyĀ laundering via funds, which sponsored Humala’sĀ electionĀ campaign. The ConstitutionalĀ CourtĀ ofĀ PeruĀ ordered the release of Humala and hisĀ wifeĀ inĀ AprilĀ 2018.
The infamous Odebrecht constructionĀ companyĀ has bribed politicians across Latin America to secure lucrative contracts. An investigation into OdebrechtĀ corruptionĀ schemes launched inĀ 2016Ā has already led to the dismissal of a number of high-ranking officials across the continent.