Peru's Constitutional Tribunal Annuls Ollanta Humala's Prison Sentence

Peru's Constitutional Tribunal (TC) has annulled the 15-year prison sentence of former President Ollanta Humala, ruling that campaign contributions did not constitute money laundering when the events occurred.

Key points

• The TC declared a habeas corpus demand founded by a majority vote of five to two.
• The ruling orders the immediate release of the former president and the definitive archiving of the case by the Prosecutor's Office.
• The defense stated that the decision should have an extensive effect on former First Lady Nadine Heredia, who has been in Brazil under diplomatic asylum.

Why it matters

The ruling sets a significant legal precedent regarding campaign financing and retroactivity in Peru, potentially impacting other high-profile corruption cases tied to the Lava Jato investigations.