Peru Prosecutors Seek Prison Term for Presidential Candidate

(MENAFN) Peruvian prosecutors have requested a prison sentence of five years and four months for presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez, accusing him of financial misconduct and false administrative declarations shortly before a decisive runoff election.

According to reports citing the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the indictment alleges that Sanchez redirected funds from his political movement, Juntos por el Peru, into personal bank accounts.

The case became public after final vote counts confirmed that Sanchez will compete against Keiko Fujimori in the second round of voting scheduled for June 7.

Prosecutors claim that Sanchez and his brother, William Sanchez, received roughly 280,000 soles through donations and membership fees that were not properly reported in official party financial records.

The investigation focuses on financial documentation submitted between 2018 and 2021, covering periods that included regional elections, legislative contests, and the 2021 general election.

In addition to prison time, authorities are also seeking a permanent ban preventing Sanchez from holding the presidency or leading his political party.

A preliminary hearing is set for May 27, just days before voters head to the polls. A judge will determine whether the case contains sufficient evidence to proceed to a full trial, a development that could significantly affect the election outcome.

Sanchez, who previously served as a minister under former President Pedro Castillo, is currently in a close race with Keiko Fujimori, according to recent polling.

His legal team has previously rejected the accusations, describing them as political persecution, while his supporters argue that he has cooperated with judicial proceedings.

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