Peru Ex-president Toledo Surrenders For Extradition: US Marshals
Faizan Hashmi Published April 22, 2023 | 12:50 AM
San Jos�, United States, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 22nd Apr, 2023 ) :Peruvian ex-president Alejandro Toledo surrendered to US authorities in California on Friday, ahead of his expected extradition to Lima on charges of corruption and money laundering.
Toledo has lived in the United States for several years and gave himself up at a Federal court building in San Jose, where he was handed over to the US Marshals Service.
The 77-year-old, who served as Peru's president from 2001 until 2006, is wanted by Peruvian prosecutors investigating a sprawling scandal involving Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht.
Toledo, who holds a doctorate from Stanford University, is accused of taking millions of Dollars from Odebrecht in exchange for favored treatment in bidding on public works.
He denies all charges, which could see him jailed for up to 20 years if convicted in Peru.
Friday's surrender appeared to be the start of the endgame for a man who was initially detained in California in 2019.
He was put under house arrest in 2020 and ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor.
Earlier this week, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit rejected Toledo's most recent legal move to block the extradition Peru has sought since 2018, and a US judge ordered him to surrender.
On Friday morning he left his Menlo Park residence accompanied by his lawyer and his wife, Eliane Karp.
Wearing a green jacket, red vest, blue jeans and sneakers, he was seen carrying a few belongings, according to images published on social networks, as he made his way to the Robert F. Peckham federal building, where a crowd of reporters had gathered.
The US Marshals Service confirmed to AFP that he had handed himself in, and judicial sources said the extradition process was expected to last less than a week.
- 'car Wash' - Peruvian prosecutors say they have testimony from two people who claim Toledo received bribes from Odebrecht.
The firm acknowledged paying backhanders in Brazil and several other nations around Latin America in the so-called "Car Wash" scandal, which has so far seen dozens of politicians and business figures behind bars.
Four other former Peruvian presidents currently face corruption investigations. They are Ollanta Humala (who ruled 2011-2016), Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (2016-2018), Martin Vizcarra (2018-2020) and Pedro Castillo (2021-2022).
Former President Alberto Fujimori (1990-2000) was convicted of corruption charges and is in prison. Another ex-president, Alan Garcia, died by suicide in 2019 as police were preparing to arrest him in the Odebrecht case.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Sharjah Animation Conference explores cross-cultural collaboration opportunities ..
Sharjah Public Library provides countless opportunities for young imaginations t ..
Sharjah Police launches 'Your belongings, your responsibility' awareness campaig ..
Dubai Police displays Innovative Tourism Security Services at 'ATM 2024'
Mohammad Haris, Aamir Jamal not part of national squad for Ireland, England: Bab ..
Erdogan opens former church to Muslim worshippers
Cultural events hallmark of a nation, Director RAC
Iraq hangs 11 convicted of 'terrorism': security, health sources
Stocks rise on renewed hopes of rate cuts
PM assures all-out support to Saudi investment
S.Africa building collapse traps 48 workers: city hall
Nilofar lauds efforts for development of national document aimed promoting balan ..
More Stories From Miscellaneous
-
Concerted efforts urged to ease traffic flow on city roads
2 days ago -
Land degradation: A threat to food security
2 days ago -
Revamping health sector, a gigantic task ahead
2 days ago -
American band promotes intercultural harmony thru music fusions
2 days ago -
Waste Management – A persistent challenge for MWMC
4 days ago -
Experts for ending child labour
5 days ago
-
Labour Day - A reminder for better facilities to workers
6 days ago -
Stage Drama Mohabati Manhoon presents in Arts council Larkana
8 days ago -
Wheat farmers in a fix on price, procurement mechanism
9 days ago -
Modern tools to help transform crime investigation procedures
9 days ago -
Sanam Marvi captivates audience with mesmerizing performance
9 days ago -
Modern Education Techniques: A pathway to achieve economic development
11 days ago