Peru's Constitutional Court has annulled former president Ollanta Humala's 15-year sentence and declared the criminal proceedings against him void, clearing the way for his likely release from Barbadillo Prison in Lima. The court found that the campaign contributions at issue did not amount to money laundering, according to Humala's lawyer. The decision follows Humala's 2025 conviction for alleged illegal campaign funding tied to Odebrecht and Venezuelan sources and comes amid a broader corruption probe that has implicated several ex-presidents.
Peru's Constitutional Court Voids Humala's 15-Year Sentence and Declares Proceedings Null
[AFP via Getty Images]
Peru's Constitutional Court has annulled the 15-year prison sentence handed to former president Ollanta Humala following his 2025 conviction on charges of receiving illicit campaign funds. The court declared the entire criminal process against him null and void, and local reports say he is expected to be released from Barbadillo Prison in Lima.
Court Ruling and Immediate Aftermath
Humala, who led Peru from 2011 to 2016, had been convicted of accepting illegal contributions from the Venezuelan government and the Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht to finance his 2006 and 2011 presidential campaigns. After the constitutional court's decision, Humala's lawyer, Julio Espinoza Goyena, said the court found that the contributions his client received during electoral campaigns "do not constitute money laundering" and urged the Criminal Chamber handling the case to formally dismiss the proceedings and order Humala's release.
"The Criminal Chamber must order the definitive dismissal of the proceedings and the freedom of former President Ollanta Humala," Mr. Espinoza wrote on social media.
Related Developments and Context
When Humala was convicted in 2025, his wife, Nadine Heredia, was also found guilty of money laundering and sentenced to 15 years in prison. She later obtained safe passage to Brazil after seeking asylum at the Brazilian embassy. Humala and Heredia have consistently denied wrongdoing, saying they were victims of political persecution.
Humala's wife Nadine Heredia (right) had also been convicted of money laundering offences, but was granted safe passage to Brazil [Getty Images]
The case is part of the wider Odebrecht corruption scandal that implicated several former Peruvian presidents. Alejandro Toledo was sentenced to more than 20 years for allegedly taking $35m in bribes from Odebrecht. Alan García, who faced imminent arrest in a related inquiry, died by suicide in 2019; he had denied the allegations. Pedro Pablo Kuczynski faced impeachment proceedings after reports that Odebrecht paid him for work tied to earlier public roles; that investigation remains ongoing and he has denied illegal conduct.
Allegations Against Humala
Prosecutors accused the couple of receiving around $3 million from Odebrecht to finance Humala's 2011 campaign and of accepting about $200,000 from Venezuelan leader Hugo Chávez for the 2006 campaign. Humala and Heredia were placed in pre-trial detention for about a year before their 2025 conviction.
What Comes Next
With the constitutional court's annulment, the Criminal Chamber that previously handled the case must determine next steps, which could include formal dismissal of charges and the immediate release of Humala. The ruling focuses on procedural and legal defects in the earlier proceedings; it does not in itself resolve the underlying factual allegations, which may or may not be re-examined under new judicial procedures.
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