Peru’s government has reacted angrily to the naming of an ex-first lady facing money-laundering charges to a job with a UN agency, arguing the move interferes with investigations.
Nadine Heredia is accused along with her husband, former president Ollanta Humala, of laundering $1.5 million allegedly given to fund his 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns.
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said in a statement that it appointed Heredia to head its liaison office with UN headquarters in Geneva.
Peru’s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday it had complained to the FAO’s representative in Peru “against a decision that could be interpreted as interference in a judicial investigation in Peru.”
In a statement, it called on the FAO’s Lima office “to transmit Peru’s firm position to the director general of the FAO with a view to reconsidering this appointment.”
Heredia had been forbidden to leave Peru while the courts investigated, but a judge recently lifted the travel ban against her.
Humala, who left office in July after his term ended, was ordered not to leave the country as of last week.
Prosecutors believe the laundered funds came from the government of Venezuela’s then-president Hugo Chavez and two large construction firms in Brazil.
If found guilty, the couple could face between eight and 10 years prison.

Source: Arab News