Peruvian authorities said on Friday that they had launched an investigation into President Dina Boluarte for disbanding a special police force that had been investigating her brother, who was detained earlier in the day.
Nicanor Boluarte and the president’s lawyer were arrested as part of a probe into alleged influence peddling, ramping up pressure on the Andean country’s leader, who is already being investigated over how she got pricey Rolex watches and jewelry.
Peru’s attorney general’s office said it was now looking into a potential abuse of authority by President Boluarte and Interior Minister Walter Ortiz for dissolving the police unit.
Earlier in the day, Attorney General Juan Carlos Villena said in a government act that the authority was weighing its options and demanded the police unit be reinstated “immediately.”
Authorities searched more than 20 properties on Friday, including the Lima home of Nicanor Boluarte, who is accused of leading a criminal organization that influences the appointment of people in high positions on power.
crosstown, a team of prosecutors and police raided the home of Boluarte’s lawyer Mateo Castaneda, who is advising her in the case of alleged illicit enrichment involving the watches and jewelry. Boluarte has denied the accusations.
The president’s brother, along with other unnamed suspects, will remain in preliminary detention for 10 days, Peru’s justice department said.
