Peruvian presidential candidate Sanchez could stand trial over financial disclosure case: Judge

Roberto Sanchez allegedly received more than US$57,000 (S$73,600) in unreported contributions for party activities.

LIMA - A judge ruled on June 5 that Peru’s leftist presidential candidate Roberto Sanchez could stand trial over alleged campaign finance violations.

Sanchez faces right-wing candidate Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former president Alberto Fujimori, in the second round of the presidential run-off on June 7.

The two candidates are competing for power against a backdrop of profound political instability – with Peru having cycled through eight presidents since 2016.

The June 5 decision is not expected to affect the election as Sanchez has a week to submit an appeal. His defence team has already announced that it will appeal.

If elected, Sanchez will be granted immunity under the Peruvian Constitution.

“There are sufficient grounds” for Sanchez “to stand trial”, Judge Adolfo Farfan said in his ruling, following a two-day hearing.

The prosecution, which requested a prison sentence of five years and four months for Sanchez, said it was “satisfied with the decision”.

According to the prosecution, inconsistencies were found in his political party’s financial reports in regional and municipal elections from 2018 to 2020 in which he took part.

The case was first brought before the courts in January, but the judiciary partially rejected it and asked the prosecutors to reformulate it.

Sanchez allegedly received more than US$57,000 (S$73,600) in unreported contributions for party activities. AFP