A preliminary investigation into alleged illicit enrichment and failure to testify to the detriment of the State was launched against Peru’s president on Friday night, as Peruvian police officers raided her home in Boluarte. The officers seized three luxury Rolex watches from the president’s home as part of their investigation. Footage from local media shows the officers breaking the lock on the front door of the house in the Lima district of Surquillo after receiving no response to their repeated knocks.
The search and seizure operation was approved by Supreme Judge Juan Carlos Checkley following a request from Attorney General Juan Carlos Villena in connection to the alleged crime of illicit enrichment through failure to declare assets. A controversy between the Presidency of Peru and the Public Ministry arose in recent days regarding the investigation into the president’s luxury watches. The prosecutor’s office reported that attempts to contact the president for statements were unsuccessful, while the Presidency claimed that the Public Ministry was assisted by the president’s staff.
The attorney general criticized President Pedro Castillo’s lack of cooperation, describing it as a delay in the investigation outcome. However, President Castillo has not yet been formally charged with any wrongdoing, and his legal defense team has requested a rescheduling of proceedings due to his absence during summons for an investigation into undeclared luxury watches. The Public Ministry initiated preliminary proceedings against President Castillo on March 18 for failing to declare three Rolex watches, which should have been done before last year’s national elections.
Television footage showed a significant police presence outside President Castillo’s home, with officers from various units present at both sites including members from National Police Investigative Division and prosecutors inside searching for any evidence related to allegations made by Attorney General Villena against him.
