Martinelli criminal process set to begin
THE CRIMINAL process into corruption charges against Panama’s former president Ricardo Martinelli was set to begin on Wednesday April 22 when the Electoral Tribunal (TE) notified the Supreme Court of its decision to suspend his immunity (2009-2 (2009-2014).014).
The charges are in connection with anomalies in the purchase of dehydrated food worth $44.9 million through the National Assistance Program (PAN), reports La Prensa.
A source of the TE confirmed that Martinelli’s attorneys would also be notified on Wednesday.
The decision was reached Monday after the TE rejected an appeal of the decision filed by Martinelli’s lawyers.
The notification means that Judge Oydén Ortega, who is handling the case, will have two months for the investigation of the case.
The deadline is dictated by the act that regulates the investigation of politicians. Martinelli falls under this law as a member of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen.)
The case was initiated by statements made by former PAN Director Giacomo Tamburrelli, who said that the tender for the dehydrated food was orchestrated by Martinelli through his private secretary who, like Martinelli is in the United States.
The contract was granted to the company Lerkshore International Limited, a firm with no documented experience in food service. An audit has shown that the PAN overpaid $30 million for the food.
