Martinelli ordered closure of Figali project – lawyer

Martinelli ordered closure of Figali project – lawyer
A PROJECT developed by Grupo F, owned by businessman Jean Figali, was shut down by order of former President Ricardo Martinelli the company had all the required permits and had paid the concession fees says the company’s lawyer.

Former Maritime Authority of Panama (AMP) Director Roberto Linares testified on Wednesday, June 10 before the third anti-corruption prosecutor about the project by Grupo F in Amador that was halted by the agency in July 2009.
“I came voluntarily…I have nothing to fear,” were the words of Linares as he left the office of Prosecutor Zuleika Moore. “Whenever I am needed, I will come,” reports La Prensa.
Juan Carlos Araúz, Grupo F’s lawyer, said that Linares seized the project on the orders of then President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014). He said the agency erred in seizing the project, which included the filling of seabed, since the company had all the required permits and had paid the concession fees.
At the time, the government claimed it was owed $29 million in rent to the government. It also declared the filling of the seabed to be illegal.
The Supreme Court has previously ruled against Figali