:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/BDXNRVIBYNGETD7KGQSZJJ2UBE.png "Patricia Benavides: A hearing was held to evaluate the impediment to leaving the country requested by the Prosecutor’s Office")
The Supreme Prosecutor’s Office Specialized in Crimes Committed by Public Officials, headed by Supreme Prosecutor Delia Espinoza, supported this Monday, April 29, the request for a 36-month ban on leaving the country against the suspended National Prosecutor, Patricia Benavides. The support of the request raised by the Public Ministry was attended to by the Judiciary in a session scheduled for 11:00 am
The supreme judge of Preparatory Investigation, Juan Carlos Checkley Soria, dedicated approximately two hours to listen to the parties and review the request to restrict travel out of the country for Patricia Benavides, who faces accusations for her alleged participation in a criminal organization.
During the hearing, prosecutor Marcial Páucar presented the arguments supporting the request, while Benavides emphasized the importance of respect for due process and requested an impartial investigation, free of political, ideological or media influences.
Patricia Benavides participated in the hearing to evaluate the restrictions against her. | Justice TV
The request to prevent her from leaving the country was announced on April 24, in a statement revealed after the leak of a report from the Prosecutor’s Office in which she is accused of a series of crimes that include: receiving bribes for directing tenders, strategic changes in the Public Ministry to benefit those investigated in the Cuellos Blancos case and her sister Enma Benavides, and coordination to modify reports before the JNJ that was investigating her.
After hearing the arguments of the parties, Judge Juan Carlos Checkley left his decision to vote, which will be notified to those involved within the legal deadline.
During his intervention, prosecutor Marcial Páucar stressed that Patricia Benavides is identified as the leader of a criminal network rooted in his institution, and expressed concern about her willingness to submit to justice. She referred to her multiple trips abroad in recent years, highlighting the ease with which she has left the country, which would increase her risk of flight.
Likewise, he mentioned that the mother of Benavides’ spouse has Chilean nationality and that her husband, also Chilean, has ties to several companies, which could facilitate his departure from Peru. Furthermore, he pointed out that “Benavides does not have stable employment,” due to his suspension by the National Board of Justice (JNJ).
Prosecutor Marcial Páucar supported the reasons for the judge to prohibit Patricia Benavides from leaving the country. | Justice TV
Páucar also revealed that, after his suspension, Benavides has transferred part of his assets to his daughters, which is striking. He warned that the alleged criminal organization she led continued to operate even after she left her position at the Public Ministry.
Citing a protected witness, the prosecutor mentioned that “coordinations were still being carried out to hinder testimony or evidence directed against him.” Finally, Páucar pointed out that Benavides faces charges with sentences of up to 15 years in prison, which could increase with the accumulated accusations.
As if the scandal over the various criminal actions looming against Benavides were not enough, during the course of last Sunday, the existence of a protected witness who has testified before the supreme prosecutor Delia Espinoza was also revealed.
His statements have pointed out the existence not only of a series of alleged agreements and offers from even Diviac agents involved to shield Enma Benavides; but also the coordination maintained between prosecutor Marco Huamán and Dina Boluarte’s lawyer in the case of deaths in protests.
According to the document that Infobae Perú was able to access, the witness also referred to the existence of a series of coordinations between the Diviac ‘mole’ agent, in charge of Harvey Colchado, Jorge Rodríguez Menacho, who had issued reports to the National Board of Justice. , who was investigating her; that were flattering for Patricia Benavides.