Peru's imprisoned ex-president Toledo seeks pardon, citing health issues

Toledo, 81, said in a written statement to the Peruvian government that his health "has seriously deteriorated in prison."

"Doctors have warned me that a heart attack or a stroke could happen at any moment," added Toledo, who held the top office in Peru between 2001 and 2006.

Toledo's attorney Carlos Torres told AFP the request for his release was formally submitted Monday where he is being held in Lima.

"He's not doing well, hence the urgency" for a pardon, Torres said.

Toledo's request was submitted two weeks before Keiko Fujimori -- the daughter of former Peruvian leader Alberto Fujimori from 1990 to 2000 -- takes office. Toledo was one of Fujimori's main political opponents.

Toledo was sentenced in 2024 for accepting multi-million-dollar bribes from scandal-hit Brazilian construction conglomerate Odebrecht  in exchange for huge public works contracts.

He received another sentence a year later for money laundering linked to the same corruption scandal.