The Peruvian judiciary has sentenced former Peruvian President Pedro Castillo to 36 months in pre-trial detention, accused of leading a criminal organization.

The former president attended the hearing practically from prison, where he is serving another preventive measure for a failed self-coup, and told the judge he was going to do “what the law” empowers him to do, supporting the appeal his lawyer will file against the measure.

The preventive detention against the former president is in response to pressure he has been exerting to appoint a non-technical official as CEO of the state-owned Petroperú, and to cancel an international tender for the purchase of biodiesel and its company specific award.

Likewise, the appointment of Silva as Minister of Transport and Communications, a fugitive from justice, with the alleged intent of taking over this ministry with relevant officials who facilitate the “project management” of the infrastructure responsible for this portfolio.

Similarly, the judge cited two million sols (half a million dollars), which businesswoman Karelim Lopez said she gave to Castillo through her advisers at the Government Palace to receive a public works award.

Checkley stated that “Castillo played a key role” in these “illegal acts”.

In that sense, the magistrate said that Castillo faces a likely sentence of 32 years in prison for the alleged crimes of criminal organization, influence peddling and conspiracy.

Judge Juan Carlos Chekli also ordered the preventive detention of former Transport and Communications Minister Juan Silva, who has been a fugitive since last year, for which he requested his arrest.

In addition, the magistrate demanded the appearance of Gainer Alvarado, the former head of the Housing Authority, as well as the payment of 3,000 Peruvian soles (169,000 Mexican pesos).