Former Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, who stands accused of accepting $20 million in bribes in his country, has taken an El Al flight to Israel to avoid prosecution, Reuters reported. The report adds there is an active international arrest warrant active for Toledo as well as a $30,000 reward. The flight is due to land in Tel Aviv on Sunday evening.

It is explained that Toledo’s wife Eliane Karp is an Israeli citizen, leading to his decision to head to Tel Aviv. Prior to boarding the flight, he was detected in France a week ago, and then San Francisco. However, American officials told government officials in Peru they would not interfere, permitting him to board the El Al flight.

The Times of Israel adds that Toledo is also a longtime friend of Israeli businessman Yosef Maiman, who Peruvian prosecutors say acted as a mediator in the bribery scandal and accepted over $10 million in bribes.

Toledo denies the allegations against him, originally explaining the money came from a loan from his wife’s mother that came from compensation she received as a Holocaust survivor.

Toledo served as Peru’s president from 2001-2006.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)