The President of Peru, Pedro Castillo, went to the prosecutor's office on Thursday August 4, which opened several investigations for alleged corruption in which his name is mentioned but refused to answer, exercising his right to "
remain silent
" .
"
I told the prosecutor that I was not part of any criminal network, I will prove my innocence
," Pedro Castillo told reporters after the hearing, which lasted about an hour.
“
I didn't rob anyone, I didn't kill anyone, I was put here by the people and I will always answer for the people
”.
"
That's what I told the prosecutors
," said Pedro Castillo, who is facing a record five investigations by the Public Prosecutor's Office, an unprecedented situation in Peru for a sitting president.
Concerned by four other investigations
His lawyer, Benji Espinoza, said the president made a general statement to prosecutors but then said he was exercising his right not to answer questions.
"
For the time being, he will exercise his constitutional right to remain silent
," Espinoza told a press conference.
Pedro Castillo was summoned in connection with a case of alleged influence peddling in a military promotion file.
Read alsoPeru: investiture under high security for Pedro Castillo
The 52-year-old former rural teacher and trade unionist is also cited in four other investigations, relating to alleged influence peddling in the purchase of fuel by the public company Petroperu, alleged obstruction of justice in the dismissal of home secretary, allegations of bribery and aggravated collusion in a public works project, and plagiarism in his university thesis.
Protected by presidential immunity
This change in defense strategy, unlike Pedro Castillo's first summons to the prosecutors in charge which lasted four hours on June 27, is linked according to the Peruvian press to the surrender last week after 100 days on the run from the former Secretary to the presidency, Bruno Pacheco, who would have "
charged
" the president during his first depositions.
Read alsoTrade unionist Pedro Castillo elected president in Peru
Protected by his presidential immunity until the end of his mandate in 2026, Pedro Castillo cannot be sent to court but justice can carry out investigations concerning him.
The Peruvian Congress, where the right is in the majority, also refused Thursday to authorize Pedro Castillo to leave the country to attend Sunday the inauguration of the president-elect of Colombia, Gustavo Petro.
The parliamentarians notably invoked the fact that Pedro Castillo.
According to Peruvian law, the president must have the authorization of Congress each time he wants to go abroad.