Peruvian Minister Backs House Arrest for Ex-President Toledo

Juan Sheput, Peru's Minister of Labor, has stated his support for former President Alejandro Toledo to serve his 20-year prison sentence under house arrest, primarily due to Toledo's age exceeding 80 years. This stance comes as Toledo's wife, Eliane Karp, has formally requested a humanitarian pardon for the ex-president.

Toledo, who served as president from 2001 to 2006, was convicted in 2024 for accepting illegal contributions from the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht. These funds were allegedly used to secure contracts for a section of the Interoceanic Highway and to acquire real estate in Peru. Sheput, who previously served as a minister under Toledo and was a member of his now-defunct Perú Posible party, reiterated his long-held position favoring house arrest for the former leader.

Minister Sheput emphasized that the ultimate decision regarding a humanitarian pardon lies with President Keiko Fujimori and the Presidential Pardon Commission, which operates under the Ministry of Justice. President Fujimori previously indicated that such a request would be evaluated based on both technical-medical assessments and humanitarian considerations. Toledo, currently held at the Barbadillo prison, also faces a separate 13-year sentence related to property purchases made with Odebrecht funds.

Toledo announced his intention to seek a pardon in early July, citing "serious health issues." His lawyer subsequently submitted the official request. Meanwhile, Karp, who is also facing legal scrutiny and resides in Tel Aviv, has appealed to President Fujimori to prioritize reconciliation over animosity by granting the pardon. The process requires the appointment of members to the Pardon and Presidential Grace Commission before any analysis can commence.