Jiménez Mayor: Castillo could serve up to 35 years in prison 1:49
(CNN Spanish) ––
The president of Peru, Pedro Castillo, appeared before the Prosecutor's Office on Monday to respond to the summons for the preliminary investigations that have been opened against him.
On its Twitter account, the Public Ministry reported that the Nation's prosecutor, Patricia Benavides, began Castillo's "investigation statement" "in the framework of the preliminary investigation that follows the president."
And in a later publication, she indicated that the process was carried out in strict confidence.
🚨#LoÚltimo
The prosecutor of the Nation, Patricia Benavides, began the investigative statement of the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo, at the headquarters of the Public Ministry, within the framework of the preliminary investigation that follows the president.
pic.twitter.com/jBa3wATMFM
– Public Ministry (@FiscaliaPeru) September 5, 2022
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After the judicial procedure, Castillo said in public statements that he was summoned "to respond" and that he will do so "as many times as necessary."
"Not only have we categorically denied and rejected these accusations, but we also ask that all investigations be carried out," said the president.
And he added: "We are not only proving our innocence but also rejecting these accusations (of which) we have been accused."
He also maintained that he will continue to collaborate with justice.
Peru's Prosecutor's Office opens sixth investigation against President Pedro Castillo
Later, on his Twitter account, the president "categorically" denied the accusations against him.
"I will always show my face and respond as many times as necessary," he added.
He also mentioned that he hopes that all the information from the investigations will be collected and that he will continue to collaborate with justice.
Today I went again to respond to the Prosecutor's Office.
I strongly deny the accusations against me.
I will always show my face and respond as many times as necessary.
I hope that all the data of the investigations are collected, we will continue collaborating with justice.
pic.twitter.com/BoxBpJoDhK
– Pedro Castillo Terrones (@PedroCastilloTe) September 5, 2022
Castillo, who has been governing the country for just over a year, is already facing six preliminary investigations in the Public Ministry.
The most recent was opened in early August when the Nation's prosecutor reported that he is being investigated for the alleged crime against public tranquility in the form of criminal organization, in relation to works awarded in the provinces of Chota and Cajatambo.
Another of the investigations against the president is related to an alleged intervention in the purchase of biodiesel in favor of a private company, for which he is accused of alleged crimes against the public administration and influence peddling.
The president has always denied the accusations.
President Castillo assures that he is called to testify about "comics" and "stories" in relation to his summons to the Prosecutor's Office
This Monday, his lawyer Benji Espinoza pointed out that Castillo "has established that he is completely innocent of all the charges falsely attributed to him."
And he referred to the accusation of biodiesel: "The president has not had any link to favor the process of buying biodiesel."
On Sunday, during a meeting with Peruvian municipal workers at the Government Palace, Castillo referred to the investigations and pointed out that the Prosecutor's Office had called him to testify about "things that are made, comics, stories."
"And that is why they are not going to distract us because we have come here to vindicate the country and allocate the budget to move this country forward and give to the most needy," added Castillo.
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