In Congress, Peru’s Attorney General Patricia Benavides denounced President Dina Boluarte and Prime Minister Alberto Otárola for the deaths during anti-government protests in 2022 and 2023.

The accusation comes on the same day that an investigation was opened against Benavides for the alleged formation of a criminal network within the Public Prosecution Service.

“I announce that I have filed a constitutional complaint with the Congress of the Republic against the citizens Dina Boluarte and Luis Alberto Otárola,” she said in a statement in which she assured that the investigation opened against her is “intended” to to intimidate so that she does not continue with his ‘fight against impunity’.

Peruvian Attorney General accused of running influence peddling network

Also against the three former interior ministers who held the portfolio during the wave of protests, César Cervanes, Víctor Rojas and Vicente Romero. He denounces the five for allegedly committing aggravated murder.

The Special Team of Prosecutors against Power Corruption (Eficcop) carried out Operation Valquiria V this Monday, arresting one person, the central manager of the Public Prosecution Service, Jaime Villanueva.

Benavides is accused of being the head of a criminal influence network.

In retaliation, the attorney general fired Marita Barreto, the group’s coordinator. Faced with this situation, the group’s accusers rebelled.

“Under the autonomy and independence of the Public Prosecution Service, we support and ratify the actions led by Dr. Marita Sonia Barreto Rivera,” they noted in the statement.

They added that for this reason they reject “the Resolution Act of the Acting Prosecutor of the Nation,” which they say “only causes delay and damage in the investigations.”

The prosecutors also “respectfully” requested the members of the Council of Supreme Prosecutors “that, in light of the facts disclosed, they will act with responsibility and common sense in defense of the institutions within the framework of their constitutionally recognized powers.” ”

“We call on the institutions and citizens to remain vigilant about actions that could be taken against the prosecutors who are part of the Special Team of Prosecutors Against Corruption in Power (Eficcop),” they asked.

The prosecutors announced that they “will remain in office” and reaffirmed their “commitment to a head-on fight against corruption, wherever it comes from and whoever falls.” (JO)