Peru presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez faces charges of financial misconduct

Peru’s Public Prosecutor’s Office Unseals Charges Against Leftist Presidential Candidate Roberto Sanchez

The public prosecutor’s office in Peru has filed charges against leftist presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez, alleging financial crimes related to false disclosures of campaign contributions and membership fees. The charges were unsealed on Tuesday, hours after electoral authorities confirmed that Sanchez was on track to advance to the country’s presidential run-off scheduled for June 7.

According to reports, prosecutors claim that Sanchez and his brother, William Sanchez, received more than 280,000 Peruvian soles ($81,720) in contributions and membership fees between 2018 and 2020, which were not disclosed in the party’s financial filings. Additionally, Sanchez is accused of making false statements in administrative proceedings.

Sanchez’s lawyer has denied the accusations, stating that the party’s treasurer was responsible for its financial filings. A judge will decide on May 27 whether to proceed with the case. The charges have emerged as vote counting from last month’s first-round election showed Sanchez advancing to a run-off against conservative rival Keiko Fujimori.

As of Tuesday, Fujimori held a commanding lead in the election with 99.76 percent of ballots counted, followed by Sanchez at 12 percent and ultra-conservative former Lima Mayor Rafael Lopez Aliaga at 11.91 percent. The final result is expected to be announced on May 15.

Source: Al Jazeera