FILE PHOTO: Police officers escort Nicanor Boluarte, brother of Peruvian President Dina Boluarte, as he leaves his home, after prosecutors detained him for allegedly being part of a group that trafficked influence, according to the Attorney General's Office, in Lima, Peru May 10, 2024. REUTERS/Gerardo Marin/File Photo
LIMA (Reuters) - A Peruvian court on Tuesday ordered President Dina Boluarte's brother be held for up to three years as he is investigated over alleged influence peddling, bribery and involvement in a criminal organization, in a case that could implicate the country's top leader.
The court also issued an order for police to "immediately" locate and arrest Nicanor Boluarte, who was not present for his court hearings on Monday or Tuesday.
Judge Richard Carhuancho ruled there was "a high degree of probability" that the Boluarte brother had participated in the alleged crimes and that he was a flight risk due to his proximity to the "spheres of power" because of his ties to the president.
His defense team will appeal the decision.
The prosecutor's office had earlier called for Nicanor's arrest for allegedly using "de facto power" to appoint officials after his sister took office at the end of 2022.
Nicanor had been detained in May for several days as a preliminary measure, when police raided his home as part of an investigation into alleged illicit enrichment by the president after her use of Rolex watches and luxury jewelry came into question.
Dina Boluarte, whose popularity has fallen to historic lows and has a mandate until July 2026, has denied the accusations.
The president has also been facing an investigation into dozens of deaths during anti-government protests in late 2022 and early 2023 following the arrest of her predecessor Pedro Castillo, who was dismissed after trying to dissolve Congress.
(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Editing by Kylie Madry)
