Unexpected turn in Odebrecht case: Barata willing to testify against Fujimori and Toledo

The latest development in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the corruption scandal involving Odebrecht has taken an intriguing turn. The lawyer representing Jorge Barata, the former Odebrecht executive at the center of the storm, has announced that his client is willing to provide testimony in the trials against two prominent figures in Peruvian politics: Keiko Fujimori and Alejandro Toledo. This unexpected offer comes in the wake of the revocation of the effective collaboration agreement Barata had signed with the Peruvian Public Ministry, a move that threatens to upend the progress made in unraveling the web of corruption that has tainted the country's political landscape. César Nakazaki, the legal representative of Barata, made the revelation during an interview on the program "Nunca es tarde" on RPP. When asked whether Barata would be willing to continue giving testimony in the criminal proceedings, Nakazaki affirmed that his client was committed to maintaining the agreement and would indeed continue cooperating with the authorities. This willingness extends to testifying in the trial against Keiko Fujimori and former President Toledo, a prospect that could have far-reaching implications for the cases at hand. The decision to revoke the effective collaboration agreement between the Lava Jato special team and Barata was made by Judge Margarita Salcedo Guevara at the request of prosecutor José Domingo Pérez. This development opens the door for Barata to potentially face criminal charges in cases where he had previously been exempt from prosecution, including those related to the Avenida Evitamiento - Cusco, Interoceanic South Peru-Brazil Highway, and Line 1 of the Lima Metro projects. Nakazaki expressed his bewilderment at the revocation of the agreement, emphasizing the importance of maintaining it to ensure the continuity of the investigations. He underscored Barata's readiness to provide crucial testimony in the trial against Toledo, shedding light on the alleged illicit payment of 38 million dollars to the former president. The lawyer reiterated his belief that rescinding the collaboration agreement would have a detrimental domino effect on other witnesses involved in the cases. In response to the decision, Nakazaki disclosed that they are preparing an appeal to challenge the revocation of the agreement and seek a review by a higher court. This legal maneuver aims to overturn the ruling and reinstate the collaboration agreement, thereby safeguarding Barata's cooperation and the progress made in uncovering the truth behind the corruption scandal. The unfolding developments in the legal battle involving Jorge Barata, Keiko Fujimori, and Alejandro Toledo have heightened tensions and raised questions about the future trajectory of the cases. As Barata stands poised to offer his testimony in pivotal trials, the outcome of the appeal to reinstate the collaboration agreement looms large, potentially reshaping the course of justice and accountability in Peru. The stakes are high, and the implications of these unfolding events extend far beyond the courtroom, impacting public perception of the fight against corruption and the integrity of the country's legal system.