OFF THE CUFF: spy-equipment investigation opened as suspect flees

WHILE SOME KEY players in Panama’s wiretapping scandal have fled the country and become either fugitives or, as with former President Ricardo Martinelli, self-imposed “exiles” The Public Ministry on Friday. July 31, opened an investigation into the purchase of surveillance equipment known as Pegasus from an Israeli contractor during Martinelli’s mandate.

The equipment, valued at $8 million, was purchased in part through an account linked to businessman Felipe “Pipo” Virzi, [under house arrest in another corruption investigation] which issued a check for $1 million to Caribbean Holding Services, a company linked to Aaron “Ronny” Mizrachi, brother-in-law of Martinelli, who fled the country in mid-week on Martinelli’s private jet.
The money came from the same account that Virzi used to deposit a $5 million check from Hidalgo & Hidalgo, the contractor responsible for the failed Tonosí irrigation project..
Prosecutors allege that Caribbean Holding Services was paid $100,000 for handling the payment, reports La Prensa.
The Martinelli administration also purchased additional surveillance equipment from another Israeli contractor, and also hired an Italian company to provide services in this area. According to prosecutors, this equipment was used to illegally spy on opponents of the government The total cost of the equipment came to around $22 million, excluding the cost of the team hired to operate the extended spying operation on political opponents, judges, journalists and businessmen. All the equipment has disappeared although witnesses have testified. it was delivered to the headquarter’s of Martinelli’s 99 supermarket chain
Questions are being raised over the ability of Mizrachi to flee the country as the latest scandal erupted.