Peru: Keiko Fujimori to return to prison

Peruvian opposition leader Keiko Fujimori was sent back to jail for a further 15 months on Tuesday as prosecutors continue to investigate money laundering accusations over the financing of her presidential aspirations.

Fujimori had already spent just over a year behind bars when the Latin American country's top constitutional court ordered her release last November.

However, prosecutors successfully appealed that decision, although their demands for an additional 18 month sentence were not met fully.

Fujimori arrived at the trial in Lima just before the judge finished reading his decision, which took more than eight hours. A handful of people gathered outside the court chanting in support of the embattled political figure.

Read more: Peru: No clear winner in Congress elections amid corruption trial

Odebrecht scandal

The 44-year-old is alleged to have accepted $1.2 million (€1 million) in illicit funding from Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht during her unsuccessful 2011 run for office, but she has always maintained her innocence.

Odebrecht has admitted to paying at least $29 million to Peruvian officials since 2004, as well as bribing four ex-Peruvian presidents. The scandal involving the Brazilian construction giant stretches far beyond Peru, involving about a dozen countries across the continent.

Fujimori's defense team confirmed they would be appealing the ruling.

Keiko Fujimori is the daughter of former President Alberto Fujimori who is currently behind bars over human rights violations.

jsi/se (Reuters, AFP, dpa)

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