Ombudsman monitoring police beating of doctor

Panama’s ombudsman, Patria Portugal, has expressed concern at the beating of a local doctor by members of the National Police (PN) in the midst of a confusing incident. 

The confrontation was  between Dr. Rafael Perez Carrillo  and National Police, on the night of September 22 in Panama City. 

The doctor says he was the victim of police abuse which led  Portugal to issue a press release saying : "The police are called to protect,and not to physically  violate a citizen’s rights as stated in Article 17 of the Constitution." 

Portugal said she is waiting for the file  of a complaint with the Ombudsman's office and said the institution  will monitor the development of  an investigation.
She added  that members of the PN, as public servants are obliged to respect the constitutional principle of protecting the life, honor and property of nationals.

Police can be be held criminally responsible for abuse or overreaching in the exercise of their functions, she said.