Judge calls for Martinelli email address
Judge calls for Martinelli email address
THE JUDGE of guarantees in the investigation of former President Ricardo Martinelli into alleged illegal wiretaps during his administration, has called for his defense team to provide an e-mail address of the former president.
Defense attorneys for Martinelli have said they have yet to receive the judge’s request for the e-mail address reported La Prensa on Nov 8.
Jeronimo Mejía, who has been widely criticized for his tardiness in the case has requested the e-mails to “ensure effective communication between [Martinelli] and the different authorities who are dealing with the case.”
Mejia said that while prosecutor Judge Harry Díaz provided a physical address for Martinelli, he did not provide an e-mail address. Defense attorneys have also not provided the address.
Mejía cited paragraph 5 of article 65 of the criminal procedure code, which states that parties have the duty to provide an e-mail address to receive communications or notifications.
“This obligation falls on the defense, but if a prosecutor has that information, he is required to provide it,” states the document.
This resolution is the first pronouncement of Mejía in the case. The judge received a report from Diaz concerning his investigation more than a month ago.
Mejía has been criticized for not having officially notified the defense of Martinelli of the accusations, which has stalled the case. Both the prosecutor and the victims have asked the judge to advance the process. Defense attorneys for Martinelli have said they have yet to receive the judge’s request for the e-mail address.
