Former Peruvian President Toledo Seeks Clemency on Humanitarian Grounds

Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, currently imprisoned for bribery and money laundering charges related to the Odebrecht scandal, has formally requested presidential clemency. The 81-year-old former leader seeks to be released from prison on humanitarian grounds, citing severe health deterioration.

In a letter submitted by his lawyer, Carlos Torres Caro, Toledo stated that his doctors have warned him of an imminent risk of heart attack or stroke due to his condition in prison. He emphasized that his petition is "an act of justice" and not an admission of guilt, expressing hope for an objective and humane evaluation by the authorities.

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I am 81 years old. My health has deteriorated severely in prison. The doctors have warned me that a heart attack or stroke can occur at any moment.

Toledo's request leverages a law passed in 2024 by the Peruvian Congress, which allows individuals aged 80 and above to serve their sentences under alternative measures such as house arrest or a summons order, provided humanitarian reasons are established. His legal team plans to present the petition to the interim government and, if unsuccessful, will appeal to the incoming president.

Toledo, who served as president from 2001 to 2006, has been incarcerated since his extradition from the United States in 2023. He faces two convictions: a 20-year, 6-month sentence for Odebrecht bribes and a 13-year, 4-month sentence for illicit real estate purchases made with Odebrecht funds. His wife, Elaine Karp, who resides in Israel and is considered a fugitive by Peruvian authorities, had previously requested a humanitarian pardon for her husband, describing his prison conditions as "terrible."

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This is not an act of surrender, it is an act of justice. I trust that the authorities will evaluate my case with objectivity and humanity.