Peru ex-president Toledo arrested in U.S. as prosecutor seeks extradition

Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo was arrested in the United States under an extradition order on Tuesday, the South American country's Justice Minister said in a news conference. Toledo, who governed from 2001 to 2006, is a fugitive from Peruvian justice for receiving $20 million from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht in exchange for aid to win public works.

Peru requested his extradition formally from the United States a year ago. Toledo, 73, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Toledo's lawyer told local radio station RPP that the former president had not received due process in the investigation by Peruvian prosecutors.