LIMA, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- Peru's Congress on Friday approved the constitutional complaint against former president Pedro Castillo and two former ministers for the alleged crimes of criminal organization, influence peddling and collusion.

After more than four hours of debate, Congress decided to approve the final report with 59 votes in favor, 23 against and three abstentions.

This will allow Attorney General Patricia Benavides, who filed the complaint in October 2022, to formalize the investigation and initiate criminal proceedings against Castillo.

In the same session, the final reports recommending the indictment of former transportation and communication minister Juan Silva Meza and housing, construction and sanitation minister Geiner Alvarado Lopez for alleged criminal organization were also approved.

During the session, Castillo's lawyer Eduardo Pachas participated virtually and reiterated that Castillo denies corruption and criminal organization charges, requesting that he be allowed to present his defense in person.

The former president is being held in preventive detention for 18 months in the Barbadillo prison in Lima, while he is investigated for alleged "rebellion" after attempting to dissolve Congress on Dec. 7. Enditem

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