LIMA -- Peruvian former first lady Nadine Heredia has arrived back Thursday in the capital of her native country, called back from Europe by Judge Richard Concepción Carhuancho for legal matters linked to the investigation into her alleged money laundering, judicial sources said.

 Heredia landed on Peruvian soil aboard an Air Europa commercial flight from Madrid at 7:12 a.m. Peruvian time, just over a week after being appointed head of the Food and Agriculture Organization’s liaison office in Geneva.

 However, Peru asked FAO director general José Graziano da Silva to retract her appointment to the role due to an ongoing investigation into money laundering.

 The Peruvian judge involved in the investigation Richard Concepción Carhuancho called Heredia back to Peru for legal matters and gave her 10 days to make her way back -- she arrived within four days of the Monday deadline.

 The former first lady said that she did not understand the reason why the judge changed his opinion on her having to sign legal documents in Peru. According to Heredia, she had talked to the judge before on the matter, and he had said that it would be fine to sign in the embassy.

 “We have not lied about me leaving the country. I asked permission,” said Heredia, who apparently personally notified the judge and the public prosecutor in charge of the investigation about her departure.

 Heredia intends to ask Carhuancho to explain the reasons for his sudden change of heart on meeting him in Lima. “I will always collaborate with the law, be that here or when I undertake my responsibilities in Geneva,” continued Heredia.

 The ex-first lady highlighted the “political pressure” that there is around her case and said that “this cannot influence the decisions made by judges and prosecutors.”

 nkd