Mario Martinelli facing corruption probe

MARIO MARTINELLI, brother of former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli, will be interrogated on Thursday Ocober 29 by the second anti-corruption prosecutor  as part of the investigation into alleged irregularities in the purchase of backpacks by the National Assistance Program (PAN).

Martinelli,facing charges of embezzlement, fraud in acts of public procurement and corruption of public servants, is being held under house arrest

His last interrogation was held at his home because of his health, although the same week report sources, he traveled to attend meetings of the Chamber of Commerce to protect his business interests.

The charges were filed based on the testimony of Pablo Ruiz Obregón, the legal representative of Hailing Corporation, S.A. and Vafepa, S.A., two companies that supplied the backpacks to the National Assistance program (PAN). Obregón identified Martinelli as the owner of the companies.