OFF THE CUFF: Rally to support embezzlement suspect

IMITATING  the dress code of the  Civilista protestors who  opposed Panama’s former Military Dictator Manuel Noriega, a  group  of relatives and friends  of detained ex-Security Minister Raul Mulino, gathered at the El Carmen Church on Via Espana on Thursday evening, Oct.29 to protest his detention.

They were dressed in white and holding candles and adopted the Ricardo Martinelli  mantra “political persecution.”

The activity took place between 7:00 pm and 8: pm and in spite of the hand held megaphones, the “photo op” attracted  little attention outside of the attendant media circle, as they  demanded that the judicial authorities, investigating Mulino  for possible embezzlement, grant him freedom.

Participants included Marta de Martinelli the wife of self-exiled Ricardo Martinelli,  Mulino’s wife, his son and three daughters.

The son Jose Raul Mulino, read a letter from his father reiterating that his detention is political persecution and speaking  of “unjust imprisonment”. He said they would be glad to know that his father is not alone and promised to “continue fighting for justice.”

Earlier, CD members, led by Luis Eduardo Camacho, Ricardo Martinelli’s spin doctor staged a protest at the  Avesa building where the anti-corruption prpsecutor issued the order for Mulino’s detention.

The prosecutor announced earlier that the decision to hold him in detention was because he was a flight risk, and coud also possibly destroy evidence.