ROME -- The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), bowing to vociferous protests by the Peruvian government, said on Monday it has "postponed the inauguration" of Nadine Heredia, former first lady of Peru, as director of its Office in Geneva, in view of her investigation for alleged money laundering.

 The FAO spokesman Enrique Yeves, explained that the decision, communicated to the Government of Peru on Monday, was taken considering the investigation for alleged money laundering which Ms Heredia is subject to.

 Last week, when the former first lady was named, the Peruvian government called the statement of the FAO  "an interference in a tax investigation."

 The UN agency added that "continue to monitor the situation Nadine to identify appropriate measures in the relevant circumstances."

 However, the FAO considers that "should follow governing the basic principle of presumption of innocence, that every person is innocent until proven otherwise, and that Nadine is just being investigated and has not been formally charged or convicted of any crime" .

 In addition, the FAO reiterated that "at no time had intended to intervene in internal political issues or court of the country to compete only to the Peruvian authorities."

The agency claimed that "the appointment process was transparent and followed the regular procedure" of the organization.