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

Record ID: 1561576

  • Title: Difficult to guarantee fugitive judge Hinostroza a fair trial in Peru - defence lawyer
  • Date: 9th July 2020
  • Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (JULY 9, 2020) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) GUILLERMO RUIZ BLAY, DEFENCE LAWYER FOR FUGITIVE PERUVIAN JUDGE CESAR HINOSTROZA SAYING: "It's logical (Spain) they have admitted this extradition. We trusted that it could have been limited or that in this case, it would have been pondered more given the peculiar case of Mr. Hinostroza as it has been an issue very linked to a very strong political debate in Peru and where he has has practically been made a scapegoat of different situations which we understand they affect directly the possibility of holding a fair trial in Peru."
  • 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: LVA004CM39AH3
  • 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: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2020. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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