Judge confirms Martinelli interference in Supreme Court

 IN THE MIDST  of widespread calls for the  resignation of  Panama’s Supreme Court Judge, José Ayú Prado,  a bombshell statement   by another judge  confirmed that former president Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2914) interfered in affairs  of the Court.

In an interview broadcast on TeleMetro, on Thursday, January 14, Judge Harry Diaz  described  being called to the presidential palace by Martinelli.  “When you think you have bottomed out in the administration of justice, you continue digging”said Diaz

He  spoke about his aspirations to chair the Supreme Court for the 2014-2015 period, but said he withdrew after being summoned to the office of the then president.

“Harry, I want you to give up your aspirations,” Martinelli told him. “I need [Alejandro] Moncada Luna.”

“President, are you in something illegal? Why do you want  a mega-corruptee  like Moncada?”

“Because he will do things that you do not want to do.”

He also said that at that time, Martinellli asked him to vote for Luis Ramon Fabrega as vice president of the Supreme Court. According to  Diaz  he was also was contacted by Maria,  Fabrega,  sister of the judge and ,Vice Minister of the Presidency in the past government Finally, the court  opted for Jose Ayu Prado as president and Diaz as vice president.

Moncada Luna would later plead guilty to unjustified enrichment and is currently serving a five year jail sentence

In the interview with Telemetro Reports , Diaz who  is prosecutor in the case against  Martinelli over interceptions conducted by the Security Council during  his  government,  also referred to the reelection of Ayu Prado, “forged” according to him – by Luis Ramon Fabrega.

“I asked Ayu  and he said ‘Fabrega is my campaign manager and he wants to re-elect me, but I’m not going to be reelected’.”

Diaz did  not hide that until two weeks ago he intended to preside over the Court and that Ayu Prado had promised him his vote , “looking in my face for three months”

Ayu Prado is facing numerous complaints in the National Assembly, including allegations of interference when he was Attorney General when a witness in the Finance Pacific scandal linked Martinelli to an account  allegedly used for stock exchange manipulation.