Peru’s left-wing former President Ollanta Humala has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering involving illicit campaign funds.
Humala’s wife, Nadine Heredia, faced the same verdict but has found refuge in Brazil.
The sentencing marks the culmination of a turbulent chapter involving one of Peru’s former leadership teams embroiled in financial scandals and political turmoil.
The court in Lima deemed Humala guilty of accepting illegal funds for his 2006 and 2011 election campaigns.
The money reportedly came from ex-Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez and the Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.
The judge handed down the 15-year sentence after a decisive legal battle that put Humala’s political career under intense scrutiny.
Nadine Heredia, a significant figure in her own right, was also found guilty of laundering money.
Before her arrest warrant could be carried out, Heredia, accompanied by the couple’s son, sought asylum at the Brazilian embassy.
Taking refuge at the embassy, she negotiated safe passage to Brazil, where her request for asylum was granted.
As Humala was sent off to Barbadillo prison on Thursday, he joined the ranks of other Peruvian presidents ensnared in corruption scandals.
Barbadillo has also housed former leaders such as