Attorney General attacks Panama “media show”

 Panama’s beleaguered Attorney General, Ana Matilde Gomez, went onto the attack this week using the media, the very weapon she claims is being used to discredit her.
In a live interview given to two television stations, she attributed questions about complaints and lawsuits filed against her as a “media show”.

“They are trying to fish in troubled waters about things that cannot be made public” she said. “We should not suspend democracy or undermine the public institutions”
Gomez faced the cameras to reiterate that she is a public prosecutor firm and resolute in her convictions in the exercise of criminal prosecution. “Whether they are individuals of high political profile of past or present government or have a high economic or social profile, we will act according to evidence and law,” Gomez said..
Questioned on the use of wiretaps in the investigation against the former prosecutor Arquímedez Sáez, she said that at that time the institution was a competent authority to order them.
She suggested that politicians should reiterate their commitment to the independence and transparency of the institution.
According to Gonzalez, some people are creating a media show surrounding the process. “It appears there as 40 thousand complaints against the prosecutor and against my person.”
Even the President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, has said it has no interference in any of the other organs of the state and is very respectful of their independence, however, many perceive the opposite.
Both lawyers and members of civil society give their interpretation of events.
Some believe wanting to investigate an officer of the stature of the Attorney General’s Office threatens the country’s institutions, others consider that the office must respect rules.
Opinions are divided over whether rules have been breached and the Supreme Court seeking the opinion of respected jurists in the country will interpret what has until now been under discussion over whether the law was broken or there was a justification to warrant the action.
On July 15 2009, the former prosecutor Arquímedez Sáez filed a complaint against the attorney General. On October 23 lawyer Carlos Zabala filed a complaint and on October 26, David Murcia, awaiting trial on numerous charges including money laundering in Colombia, the U.S. and Panama, filed a complaint against the prosecutor and other officials of the institution. Another lawsuit was filed by Charles Smith. Only the one involving Saez has been accepted.