LIMA-- Former Peruvian first lady Nadine Heredia can leave Peru so long as she returns every 30 days while she is under investigation for alleged money laundering, an appeal court ruled Wednesday, Peruvian newspapers reported.

 The court rejected a request by prosecutors that Nadine be placed under preventive detention to prevent her fleeing the country definitively. The ruling means that Nadine can return to Europe to take up a post as head of the FAO liason office in Geneva.

 The court rejected a request by Nadine's defense lawyer that she be allowed to sign every 30 days at the Peruvian consulate in Geneva instead of having to travel to Peru.

 jp