The standing committee will meet on Friday to decide whether to take the constitutional complaint against Pedro Castillo to plenary session.

The Standing Committee will meet this Friday, February 10, starting at 10:00 am to discuss the constitutional complaint filed by the National Attorney. Patricia Benavidezrecommending that former President Pedro Castillo be charged with alleged crimes criminal organization, influence peddling and collusion. This complaint also concerns Juan Silva and Geiner Alvarado, in their capacity as former Ministers of State (Transport and Communications and Housing, Construction and Sanitation, respectively).

Final report supported by MP Diego Bazan (Avanza País), will be submitted to the plenary session of the Congress if approved by the Permanent Commission.

As you remember, the debate over the complaint against Pedro Castillo was to take place on Tuesday 7 February.. However, it was rescheduled due to the non-appearance of his defense. In response, Congressional President José Williams Zapata announced that the debate would take place on this new date “with or without the presence” of the former president.

In the same vein, chair of the subcommittee on constitutional charges Lady Camonesmentioned that the procedure would not violate Castillo Terrones’ right to a defense.

“On December 6, 2022, a notification was sent to three persons under investigation; however, no one presented their defense. Therefore, Article 89 of the Standing Orders of Congress was invoked to proceed with the preparation of the final report. These are the subtleties of protection to delay the process.Camones said.

What does the final report say?

The text of the agenda of the Congress Standing Committee reads as follows:

The final report proposes:

1) To accuse Mr. José Pedro Castillo Terrones, in his capacity as former President of the Republic, of the alleged commission of the following crimes: 1.1) against the public peace, in the form of a criminal organization, aggravating his presumed status as a leader, a crime highlighted in the first and second paragraphs of Article 317 of the Criminal Code in accordance with Law No. 30077 “On Combating Organized Crime”. 1.2) Against public administration – crimes committed by public officials in the form of abuse of influence for personal gain, as provided for in Article 400 of the Criminal Code. 1.3) Alleged accomplice in a crime against public administration – crimes committed by public officials in the form of conspiracy, provided for in Article 384 of the Criminal Code, in accordance with Article 25 of the Criminal Code, to the detriment of the state.

2) Charge Mr. Juan Francisco Silva Villegas, in his capacity as former Minister of Transport and Communications, with the alleged commission of the following crimes: 2.1) Against the public peace in the form of a criminal organization described in the first paragraph of article 317. of the Criminal Code, in accordance with Law 30077 – Organized Crime Act. 2.2) Crime against public administration – a conspiracy, provided for by the first part of Article 384 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, to the detriment of the state.

3.) Charge Mr. Gainer Alvarado López in his capacity as former Minister of Housing, Construction and Sanitation with the alleged commission of the following crime: 30077 – Organized Crime Act.