Fujimori and Popular Force: Trial for money laundering and political financing

In a case that has captured the attention of the Peruvian public opinion, prosecutor José Domingo Pérez has requested 30 years and 10 months of imprisonment for the leader of Fuerza Popular, Keiko Fujimori, as well as for the alleged "leadership" of the organization. The accusation is based on the alleged receipt of illicit funds from the company Odebrecht and national businessmen, which would have been used to finance the party's electoral campaigns. According to the Prosecutor's Office, the money received by Fuerza Popular would have been of illicit origin, coming from acts of corruption committed by Odebrecht and alleged violations of financial regulations by Peruvian businessmen. In response, Keiko Fujimori's defense has denied the charges, arguing that the contributions were not of illicit origin and, therefore, the crime of money laundering cannot be proven. During the trial, testimonies and arguments from both the Prosecutor's Office and the defense have been presented. The defense's strategy has focused on questioning the illicit origin of the received money, emphasizing that some businessmen had requested confidentiality in their contributions for legitimate reasons. Likewise, the involvement of Odebrecht in the contributions to Fuerza Popular has been denied, challenging the Prosecutor's Office to present compelling evidence on the matter. In this context, Keiko Fujimori's lawyer, Giulliana Loza, has stated that there is no criminal case against her client and has denied the existence of money laundering in the contributions received. However, she has acknowledged the receipt of contributions from national businessmen, arguing that these funds were lawful and did not come from illicit activities. On the other hand, Jaime Yoshiyama's defense, former leader of Fuerza Popular, admitted the existence of a scheme of simulation in the receipt of contributions, but argued that the received money was from a lawful source and did not constitute money laundering. Regarding the alleged contribution from Odebrecht, the Prosecutor's Office has been challenged to present concrete evidence proving it. Amidst these arguments and contradictions, the trial has been temporarily suspended due to logistical problems and pressure from protesters both in favor and against Keiko Fujimori. This situation has caused discomfort among the judges and has affected the development of the hearings. Nevertheless, it is expected that the judicial process will continue and shed light on the facts surrounding the accusations of money laundering and illegal financing of political parties. In a scenario marked by tension and discrepancies among the involved parties, Peruvian society awaits with anticipation the outcome of this case that has raised doubts about transparency and legality in political financing in the country. Meanwhile, both the Prosecutor's Office and the defense are preparing to present their arguments and evidence in the upcoming hearings, in an attempt to clarify the truth behind the accusations weighing on Keiko Fujimori and her party.