By Marco Aquino
LIMA (Reuters) -A Peruvian court on Tuesday ordered President Dina Boluarte’s brother be held for up to three years as he is investigated over alleged influence peddling, bribery and involvement in a criminal organization, in a case that could implicate the country’s top leader.
The court issued an order for police to “immediately” locate and arrest Nicanor Boluarte, who was not present for his court hearings on Monday or Tuesday. He was last seen on Sunday when he connected to the hearing virtually.
The court also ordered the arrests of three more people involved in the case.
Judge Richard Concepcion Carhuancho ruled there was “a high degree of probability” that Nicanor Boluarte had participated in the alleged crimes and that he was a flight risk due to his proximity to the “spheres of power” because of his ties to the president.
His defense team will appeal the decision.
The prosecutor’s office had earlier called for Nicanor Boluarte’s arrest for allegedly using “de facto power” to appoint officials after his sister took office at the end of 2022.
Nicanor Boluarte had been detained in May for several days as a preliminary measure, when police raided his home as part of an investigation into alleged illicit enrichment by the president after her possession of Rolex watches and luxury jewelry came into question.
Dina Boluarte, whose popularity has fallen to historic lows and has a mandate until July 2026, has denied the accusations.
The president has also been facing an investigation into dozens of deaths during anti-government protests in late 2022 and early 2023 following the arrest of her predecessor, Pedro Castillo, who was dismissed after trying to dissolve Congress.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Kylie Madry and Leslie Adler)
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