Peru opens criminal investigation of President Castillo

FILE PHOTO: Peru's President Pedro Castillo speaks outside of congress after lifting a curfew in the capital Lima that was imposed over fuel cost protests that spread throughout the country, in Lima, Peru April 5, 2022. REUTERS/Angela Ponce/File Photo

LIMA (Reuters) - Peru's attorney general's office announced on Sunday it was including President Pedro Castillo in an investigation into alleged crimes including influence peddling, collusion and "criminal organization."

Peru's Public Ministry on Twitter said Pablo Sanchez, the country's top prosecutor, will lead the investigation into Castillo given the "seriousness of the accusations" made in an investigation against former Minister of Transport and Communications Juan Silva and six legislators from the opposition party.