Police arrest Peruvian president’s brother and lawyer for alleged influence peddling

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Peruvian authorities arrested President Dina Boluarte’s brother and her lawyer on influence peddling allegations on Friday, a day after the South American country’s government disbanded a police unit that was helping prosecutors investigate the president’s inner circle.

A judge authorized the arrests, according to a copy of the warrant obtained by The Associated Press. The document accuses the president’s brother of working to appoint government officials in exchange for money and an agreement to collect signatures to register a political party.

The developments mark the latest step in increasing pressure on Boluarte, who became president in December 2022 when she replaced then-President Pedro Castillo. He was sacked by parliament and is now in prison while he is investigated for alleged corruption and rebellion.

The arrest warrant also granted prosecutors’ request to hold both men incommunicado for 10 days, a legal maneuver that authorities typically reserve for cases they deem extremely serious.

Boluarte’s office did not immediately respond to an AP request for comment.

Local television stations showed images of the arrests of Nicanor Boluarte and Mateo Castañeda. The Attorney General’s Office later confirmed their arrests on social media.

The president’s older brother is charged with conspiracy and influence peddling for allegedly appointing prefects – local officials who oversee social conflicts in remote areas – in exchange for money and collecting signatures to register the Citizens for Peru party.

Meanwhile, prosecutors accuse Castañeda of interfering with the investigation against 64-year-old Nicanor Boluarte by offering certain benefits to members of the now-disbanded police unit that focused on tax investigations.

Before his arrest, Castañeda had advised President Boluarte on an investigation into her use of luxury watches and fine jewelry, which she had not listed on a mandatory asset declaration form.

It was not immediately clear whether any of the men had attorneys who could comment on their behalf.

According to the arrest warrant, prosecutors allege that the purpose of the conspiracy was to “obtain economic resources and recruit members to finance them” and to create the “Citizens of Peru” political party, which would then be used “as a platform to maintain the Power should be used”. “To destroy the state apparatus and thereby make illegal profits.”

After the arrests, Attorney General Juan Villena said on social media that he was reviewing the government’s decision to disband the police unit. This decision was approved by Interior Secretary Walter Ortiz.