Peru: Prison for big builders and entrepreneurs in Odebrecht case

A Peruvian judge has issued an 18-month preventive detention order against five Peruvian businessmen associated with Brazilian construction company Odebrecht on the construction of the second and third sections of the Interoceánica Sur highway. The judge issued the search and seizure order for the crimes of aggravated collusion and money laundering, as Peruvian companies, together with the Brazilian giant, allegedly paid US$15 million in bribes to former President Alejandro Toledo for the granting of contracts for work on the road that joins the Peruvian coastline with Brazil’s western frontier.

Among the accused is José Graña Miró Quesada, who for decades was CEO of Graña y Montero, the largest construction firm in Peru, until his resignation last February.

“Peru will now see if the justice system deals with the same rod for all citizens” said prosecutor Hamilton Castro on Sunday morning when he requested the judge to issue the detention orders.

Full Content: El País

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