Difficult to guarantee fugitive judge Hinostroza a fair trial in Peru - defence lawyer

Record ID: 1561575

  • Title: Difficult to guarantee fugitive judge Hinostroza a fair trial in Peru - defence lawyer
  • Date: 9th July 2020
  • Summary: NAVALAFUENTE, SPAIN (FILE - OCTOBER 19, 2018) (REUTERS) CARS ENTERING NAVALAFUENTE WHERE HINOSTROZA WAS ARRESTED AFTER FLEEING PERU SIGN READING IN SPANISH "NAVALAFUENTE, WELCOME" NAVALAFUENTE CITY HALL IN MAIN SQUARE FLAGS NEXT TO NAVALAFUENTE COAT OF ARMS CARS DEPARTING NAVALAFUENTE
  • Embargoed: 23rd July 2020 13:28
  • Keywords: Cesar Hinostroza Peru Spain extardition fugitive Peruvian judge
  • Location: MADRID & NAVALAFUENTE, SPAIN & LIMA, PERU
  • City: MADRID & NAVALAFUENTE, SPAIN & LIMA, PERU
  • Country: Spain
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
  • Reuters ID: LVA005CM39AH3
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text:The defence lawyer in Spain for Peruvian fugitive judge Cesar Hinostroza said on Thursday (July 9) it is difficult to guarantee his client a fair trial in Peru after Spain approved his extradition on Tuesday (July 7).
    Former judge Hinostroza had been barred by court orders from leaving Peru while he was investigated for influence peddling and other crimes and was captured in Spain in October 2018 accused of leading a criminal group that infiltrated the country's judicial system.
    Spain's High Court released him on April 11, 2019 on bail after an asylum request was rejected on December of 2018.
    Guillermo Ruiz Blay told Reuters it was a logical decision from Spain to accept the extradition, but added it is is "victory" for the defence that Spain's High Court didn't include the charge of being part of criminal organisation as one of the charges against Hinostroza.
    The Spanish lawyer said his client has been used as a "scapegoat" and despite filing a second asylum request they are not very confident it will be approved as he says the process has been directed by "Spain political sphere".
    Ruiz Blay said Hinostroza came to Spain looking for international protection and despite not getting it, he is calm and confident about fighting to prove his innocence. The lawyer estimates the court will take around three months to resolve the final administrative issue before the extradition date is fixed.
    Judge Cesar Hinostroza's escape from Peru to Spain through normal border exit points has embarrassed Peruvian President Martin Vizcarra, who has made fighting graft the top priority in his government.
    Hinostroza has been at the centre of a cronyism scandal since phone conversations recorded by police in a drug trafficking probe were leaked to media, allegedly revealing what prosecutors have described as a criminal network of judges who traded favours with politicians and businessmen.
    (Production: Guillermo Martinez, Miguel Gutierrez, Catherine Macdonald)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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