Peruvian President, Martin Vizcarra has denounced a surprise decision by Peru’s top prosecutor to remove two key investigators responsible for probing the massive graft scandal triggered by Brazilian builder Odebrecht.
In an address to the nation, Vizcarra said a motion establishing a state of emergency in the Public Ministry will be presented to Congress.
The two investigators, Jose Perez and Rafael Vela helped lead a special team that earlier this month announced plans to seek fines of about $180 million from local companies, politicians and businessmen for taking part in kickback schemes involving Odebrecht construction projects in Peru.
Odebrecht in 2016 admitted in a plea deal with U.S., Brazilian and Swiss authorities that it had bribed officials in a dozen countries, including Peru.
