César Hinostroza’s Message to Tomás Gálvez
The dismissed former supreme judge, César Hinostroza, made headlines during a court hearing on March 17 by sending a pointed message to acting National Prosecutor Tomás Gálvez. This session revolved around a rights protection hearing where Hinostroza sought to annul a decision made by Supreme Judge Juan Carlos Checkley. This decision involved Gálvez withdrawing from the ongoing investigation against him and transferring the case to the office of Supreme Prosecutor Luis Arce Córdova.
Hinostroza’s Arguments
Hinostroza firmly asserted that Gálvez should not have recused himself or referred the investigation to another prosecutor. He argued that if Gálvez had reservations, he should have returned the constitutional complaint to Congress or archived the investigation due to the Parliament’s failure to lift his pre-trial prerogative within the statutory five-year period since his dismissal.
“(The protection of rights must) be declared founded, and a corrective measure should be provided for the Attorney General to return the constitutional complaint to Congress so that it fulfills its constitutional obligation even though the five years have expired,” Hinostroza declared.
He emphasized the necessity for Gálvez to publicly enforce his jurisdiction concerning ongoing constitutional complaints, urging him to act without delay.
Threats and Implications
In a dramatic conclusion to his remarks, the fugitive former judge threatened to report the Peruvian state to international courts for allegedly violating his human rights. “Let the Peruvian State not complain that other countries are ‘protecting’ Hinostroza. Here is the palpable proof of the violation of my human rights,” he stated, heightening attention on the already controversial case.
The court hearing also disclosed that Luis Arce Córdova now faces the decision on whether to formalize the preparatory investigation against Hinostroza regarding a tax case, despite their involvement in the broader scandal known as “Los Cuellos Blancos del Puerto.”
Galvez’s Withdrawal and Legal Controversy
Tomás Gálvez excused himself from deciding on Hinostroza’s tax file due to their shared connections to alleged corrupt activities within the justice system. Hinostroza’s defense team contended that Gálvez’s withdrawal was unconstitutional and illegal.
Both Arce Córdova and Hinostroza are implicated in various alleged offenses, with accusations dating back to when Arce was a magistrate in electoral court proceedings. Furthermore, he faced constitutional denouncements for allegedly assisting Hinostroza in getting promotions within the judicial system.
Continued Developments Expected
As this complex legal saga unfolds, with multiple key players involved and ongoing investigations into corruption within Peru’s judicial system, further developments are anticipated. The implications of Hinostroza’s demands and the responses from Gálvez and Arce will likely shape the future of Peru’s legal landscape and public trust in its institutions.