Peru's Congress backs probe finding Garcia offered pardons to narcos

Peru's Congress backs probe finding Garcia offered pardons to narcos
By Franklin Briceno, The Associated Press June 20, 2014 9:33 PM

LIMA, Peru - Peru's Congress has endorsed a special commission's findings that former President Alan Garcia broke the law by pardoning or reducing the sentences of more than 3,200 convicted drug traffickers.

The 53-to-7 vote on Thursday with seven abstentions sends the case to two small committees that will decide whether Garcia should face criminal prosecution and/or be barred from politics.

Although he has not stated his intentions, many believe Garcia wants to run for president in 2016. He has served two terms, most recently from 2006-2011.

Commission head Rep. Sergio Tejada said Friday the evidence includes letters Garcia wrote to convicted traffickers inviting them to seek pardons or commutations. He said the commission determined that 400 of the beneficiaries belonged to major drug-trafficking organizations.

http://www.canada.com/news/Perus+Congress+backs+probe+finding+Garcia+offered+pardons+narcos/9960273/story.html

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Peru's Alan "Two Breakfasts" Garcia, Colombia's Alvaro Uribe[/center]