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Peru’s Constitutional Tribunal Quashes ‘Cocktails’ Case Against Keiko Fujimori

Magistrates ruled prosecutors used a money-laundering theory adopted only in 2016, blocking retroactive charges over earlier campaign funds.

Overview

  • The court granted a habeas corpus and, by a 5–2 vote, annulled 2022 rulings that had upheld charges of money laundering and criminal organization.
  • It declined to nullify a 2023 trial order for lack of subject matter and required the Fiscalía to archive investigative file 55-2017, effectively ending the prosecution.
  • The judgment invoked the legality principle, noted the applied laundering modality existed only from November 2016, cited unreasonable delay, and found no proof that Fuerza Popular had a criminal purpose.
  • Defense attorney Giulliana Loza welcomed the decision as confirmation that Fujimori was investigated for acts that were not crimes, while the Lava Jato team loses a marquee case.
  • Prosecutor José Domingo Pérez asked to pause the Susana Villarán trial to assess the ruling’s reach, a request the presiding judge rejected pending further submissions.