GENEVA: A former first lady of Peru who is facing money-laundering charges will receive immunity through her new posting with a United Nations agency in Geneva, the UN said Friday.
"Privileges and immunities (are) extended to staff of all UN agencies, and staff members of specialised agencies in the exercise of their functions," UN spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci said in a statement.
She was reacting to questions about the Rome-based UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)'s appointment of Nadine Heredia to head its liaison office with the UN headquarters in Geneva.
The appointment sparked outrage in Peru, where Heredia is accused along with her husband, former president Ollanta Humala, of laundering $1.5 million allegedly given to fund his 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns.
Peru's foreign ministry said Tuesday it had complained to the FAO's representative in Peru "against a decision that could be interpreted as interference in a judicial investigation in Peru."
Vellucci, who refused to comment on FAO's choice of staff, explained that immunity and privileges are granted to officials of specialised agencies in Geneva under a special agreement between the UN and Switzerland.
Swiss authorities did not respond immediately to requests for comments on what Heredia's immunity would entail.
Heredia had been forbidden to leave Peru while the courts investigated, but a judge recently lifted the travel ban against her.
Humala, who left office in July after his term ended, was ordered not to leave the country as of last week.
Prosecutors believe the laundered funds came from the government of Venezuela's then-president Hugo Chavez and two large construction firms in Brazil.
If found guilty, the couple could face between eight and 10 years prison.
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