Embattled Peruvian President Pedro Castillo, the subject of six criminal investigations, appeared before prosecutors on Monday to respond to allegations that he had run a corruption network from his office.
Dressed in a red down jacket, Castillo arrived at the prosecutor’s office in a black police car, which was pelted with eggs by people gathered outside as it drove away.
Castillo, 52, spent more than two hours inside, after which he addressed a group of supporters at the presidential palace.
He said he told investigators “not only do I reject and flatly deny these false allegations, but I will go and face justice.”
Castillo described the claims as “fabricated stories” and insisted the allegations were a political ploy to get him removed.
Castillo, who has survived two impeachment trials since taking office in July last year, was summoned in July to an inquiry into the firing of his Interior Minister, Mariano Gonzalez.
Gonzalez had authorized the arrest of Castillo allies.
Castillo was also questioned for allegedly influencing the purchase of fuel by state-owned Petroperu.
– ‘Professed his innocence’ –
The public prosecutor’s office has launched a total of six investigations against Castillo, including for alleged bribery and plagiarism of his university work.
“The President has denied all charges and has maintained his innocence,” attorney Benji Espinoza told reporters.
He added that Castillo did not answer any questions and invoked his right to remain silent, bar a general statement, to deny the allegations.
A scheduled appearance by Castillo’s 49-year-old wife Lilia Paredes, who is accused of criminal conspiracy and money laundering as part of an alleged bribery network headed by her husband, was canceled at the last minute, her lawyer said.
Castillo has twice appeared before investigators over alleged bribes on public works contracts and alleged irregular promotions to the military.
A sixth investigation was launched last month after police searched the presidential palace in Lima, where the president resides, as well as his private home in rural Peru, looking for his sister-in-law Yenifer Paredes, who later turned herself in.
Three others – business brothers Hugo and Anggi Espino and Mayor Jose Nenil Medina of the Cajamarca region where Castillo is from – have also been arrested, all on alleged involvement in a criminal conspiracy.
Castillo, who is serving a five-year term until 2026, cannot be tried during his tenure.
The 52-year-old country school teacher and trade unionist unexpectedly took power from Peru’s traditional political elite in last year’s elections.
But just over a year later, opinion polls show that three-quarters of Peruvians disapprove of Castillo’s administration of the country.
Peru is no stranger to instability: it has had three different presidents in five days in 2020, and five presidents and three legislatures since 2016.
But six open investigations into an incumbent president are unprecedented.