Detention center burning deaths investigation fast tracked

Panama’s First Superior Prosecutor is working flat out and his office has been boosted with two extra specialists in the investigation of the burning deaths of prisoners in a juvenile detention center.

The news comes from Attorney General Jose Ayu Prado who said Monday, January 24, that two specialists in handling cases of homicide, were assigned to the investigation of the fire that occurred in the Juvenile Enforcement Center in Tocumen on January 9.

Seven youths received extensive burns and five have died Two are still in San Tomas Hospital and their health is described as “delicate”.
Ayu Prado said that the two experts come from the Prosecutor's Office of Organized Crime. "They start to work from today. "
Ayu Prado said they will work with the staff they have, which is very specialized, despite the lack of resources. They will also be supported by other experts, such as the Fire Department of Panama.
On Saturday January 22, the First Superior Prosecutor worked all day on the case file "to get the process in motion as the community is waiting. "
The investigators are in the process of getting statements from guards and other members of the National Police and statements from minors at the facility.