Pedro Pablo Kuczynski is accused of accepting bribes from the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.
A Peruvian judge on Wednesday ordered a 10-day detention for former President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski as part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation.
The order, from the Third Court of Preparatory Investigation, is also directed against Kuczynski’s former secretary Gloria Kisic Wagner and Jose Luis Bernaola Nuflo Kuczynski’s chauffeur.
Special Prosecutor Jose Domingo Perez authorised the order, which also says that raids will be carried out on the properties of the three detainees, as well as Kuczynski’s office, with the aim of obtaining materials for the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Police officers were standing outside Kuczynski’s home in Lima’s financial district, a Reuters witness said.
According to the judicial order, published by Peruvian newspaper El Comercio, prosecutors are seeking bank account information, electronic deposits, documents related to property sales, public deeds and “other objects of crime”.
Popularly known by his initials PPK, Kuczynski led Peru for two years. He resigned last March following congressional efforts to impeach him for his alleged role in a region-wide corruption scandal.
The 80-year-old is accused of accepting bribes in exchange for lucrative government contracts awarded to the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht, which has admitted to bribing politicians across Latin America, including in Ecuador and Brazil – where it is known as the Lava Jato or Car Wash scandal.
