Peruvian justice declared a request from the prosecution to disqualify the right-wing Fuerza Popular party for 30 months to be unfounded in a case for alleged illegal contributions from the Brazilian company Odebrecht, which kept its candidate Keiko Fujimori in the election race.
“We have just received a report. There is no suspension from Fuerza Popular. Our presidential plan, our candidates for Congress and the Andean Parliament, our militants and supporters across Peru, we are moving forward to save our country again,” Keiko announced. in his report. of the social network Twitter.
The eldest daughter and political heir of former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) stressed that “this decision strengthens democracy” and allows her party to participate “on an equal footing”.
“Let the people decide,” he added after qualifying as arbitrary the request of prosecutor José Domingo Pérez, who has been investigating her for more than three years.
Judge Víctor Zúñiga concludes in a 44-page ruling that “declares the request to suspend the activities of the political party Fuerza Popular”.
The ruling eliminates the threats Fujimori faced before the April 11, 2021 presidential and parliamentary elections.
Fujimori would not have been able to compete with an unfavorable ruling.
The prosecution tried to pave the way for the investigation against Keiko, 45, and his entourage for allegedly receiving illegal campaign contributions from Odebrecht.
Keiko is running for president for the third time, after losing the vote in 2011 and 2016.
The prosecutor in the case states that a criminal organization has been formed within the Popular Force to obtain political power and receive illegal money.
“We are requesting this suspension because the one who currently (…) exercises the representation and chairmanship of the party is Keiko Fujimori, who was aware of the illegality of the money entering that organization,” the officer said. Justice on November 30 when submitting his request. .
Keiko, who has been in custody for 16 months for this case, denies having received illegal money for his campaigns in 2011 and 2016.
The Odebrecht case also affects four former Peruvian presidents.
In a recent interview with AFP, Keiko stated that “this request for suspension, if granted, is in reality a death penalty for the party.”
Keiko’s father, now 82, is serving a 25-year sentence for corruption and crimes against humanity in his government.
Fujimorism has been a draw since 1990 but has lost its influence and did not play a leading role in the crisis that led to Peru having three presidents in a few days: Martín Vizcarra (in power between March 2018 and last November), Manuel Merino (who ruled for five days) and Francisco Sagasti, the current president.