Court asked for Martinelli arrest

A REQUEST for the arrest of former President Ricardo Martinelli in connection with the investigation into wiretaps  allegedly  ordered by his administration has been referred to the plenum of the Supreme Court by Chief Justice José Ayú Prado.

The request was presented by lawyer Angel Alvarez, who is representing two of the 150 wiretap victims, Professor Miguel Antonio Bernal and Deputy Zulay Rodríguez.

On Octobe 9, Judge Harry Díaz, who is acting as a prosecutor in the process, delivered a report that recommended that Martinelli be called to trial in the case. He asked Interpol to issue a “blue alert” for Martinelli, The alert would not result in his arrest, but simply be used to locate the former president, who fled Panama in January.

Martinelli faces up to 21 years in prison in the case.

Judge Jerome Mejía now has to decide whether or not to call a hearing in the case, which would require Martinelli  to be present and likely lead to a red alert for his arrest.