Zoraida Ávalos: “I had to hold office in the most difficult times”

Zoraida Ávalos concluded her mandate as prosecutor of the Nation on March 29 and made a small memory of her management on social networks. Ávalos Rivera said he had to take office at one of the most difficult times for the country, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the constant accusations against his office.

He was in charge of the Public Prosecutor's Office for three years and highlighted the number of constitutional complaints made to State officials. During the last few months, he was accused of even integrating 'Los Cuellos Blancos' and had some clashes with the President of the Republic, Pedro Castillo.

“I have had to hold the dignified position of prosecutor of the Nation in the most difficult times of recent republican history, and this shows that, in these three years, my office has filed more than 40 constitutional complaints against senior officials from presidents of the Republic, ministers of state, congressmen of the Republic, judges and supreme prosecutors, among others,” he said from the Twitter account of the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Ávalos also highlighted that most of his management took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, three changes of leaders and a closure of Congress.

“During the three years of administration, two were spent in the midst of a pandemic; and the entire period in times of upheaval and political crisis. One fact that allows us to graph the criticism of the times we faced is the fact that in such a short period of time the country has had four presidents of the Republic and three different Congresses of the Republic,” he said.

In addition, he assured that he did not use the position of prosecutor of the Nation to guide any investigation based on people and their link with any particular sector.

“A clear evidence that supports this statement is the fact that those investigated and denounced belong to different political sectors and different institutions, which is, in addition, tangible proof that they held office with total autonomy and independence, without any bias,” he added.

The former prosecutor also recalled that there were “attacks” against her with the aim of, she said, questioning credibility and affecting the autonomy of independence of the Public Ministry.

“If the personalization of attacks puts institutions and their autonomy to good safety, and we have not gone back a millimeter in their defense, that will be the cost to be paid. Our main duty has been and will be to defend the autonomy and independence of the institution against all alleged interference,” he said.

He concluded his message by saying that he had “sufficient authority” and stressed that he never intended to influence in lower instances to harm or favor anyone.

“My statements are fully consistent with my actions,” he said.

NEXT ATTORNEY OF THE NATION

In past statements, Zoraida Avalos stated that she would end her three-year term despite any accusations against her. In addition, he pointed out that Pablo Sánchez would be the one who would take his place.

“I was appointed for a period of 3 years. On March 29, I swore in and on March 29 my term ends and according to the law that it is up to him to assume is the one who follows me in antiquity, which is Dr. Pablo Sánchez, but he indicated that for now not because he has a team, but I have given him time until this Friday to think about it well, but I have no desire to stay one more day in office”, he said at the time.

HE DEFENDED HIMSELF AGAINST ACCUSATIONS

Ávalos rejected the accusations against him made by the anti-corruption prosecutor, who indicated that he has evidence and testimony that would confirm links with the criminal organization 'Los Cuellos Blancos del Puerto'.

“I regret the lack of seriousness of this official, who with his statements all he intends, in some way, is to distort and generate distrust of citizens towards the institution I represent,” he said in an interview with RPP.

“How can you say that I am a member of the criminal organization Los Cuellos Blancos when it is public knowledge that I have denounced supreme chiefs, supreme prosecutors, members of the CNM, people who are now dismissed and disabled and we are about to get the extradition of former magistrate César Hinostroza. How is it possible that I am part of this network when I have reported all these people. What is the purpose? To bring down the research of the White Collars and many of the research we have and it is public knowledge”, he stressed.