(Lima) The Peruvian government on Tuesday fired the top police official who is under investigation for his alleged links to a corruption network in which former president Pedro Castillo, now in detention, is believed to be implied.
“It has been decided to end the functions” of General Raul Alfaro “as General Commander of the Peruvian National Police and to retire him from office,” reads a decree signed by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.
Mr. Alfaro is under investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office for his alleged links to a “criminal network” that allegedly operated under the government of Mr. Castillo, deposed and imprisoned in December, accused of having attempted a coup of State by wanting to dissolve the Parliament which was preparing to oust him from power.
Mr. Castillo was remanded in custody for 36 months. The prosecution believes that he was notably at the head of a network of corruption, money laundering and influence peddling, made up of his family and political environment.
On Monday, authorities raided the home and office of the now ex-police chief, a post he had held since August and his appointment by Mr. Castillo.
“There will be no impunity for the corrupt and corrupters. We are taking the necessary measures to eliminate from the state the bad elements involved in corruption, ”assured Ms. Boluarte on the sidelines of an official event.
The dismissal of Mr. Castillo and his replacement by his former vice-president had set the country ablaze. His supporters, poor peasants from the south of the country with indigenous origins like him, demonstrated for several weeks, blocking roads and airports. Violent clashes with police left 54 dead and around 600 injured.
