Cosmetic moves by judge in Martinelli spy case

AS THE defense team of Ricardo Martinelli lawyers launched another move to stall the appearance of former Panama president  Ricardo Martinelli in court, victims of wiretapping during his term in ffice are increasingly frustrated at the zig-zag movements of Panama’s Supreme Court (CSJ).

The defense now  seeks to set aside the order of provisional detention of the former president, issued by   Judge Jeronimo  Mejia 11 this month.

Carlos Carrillo, a member of  the team and  also deputy of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), said Thursday, March 17  that a writ of habeas corpus was filed before the CSJ after Mejia, investigating judge in the Martinelli  wiretapping case, informed  the heads  of the National Police, Judicial Investigation Department, National Customs Authority, National Air Service, Directorate General of the National Migration Service and the State Border Serviceand told them  that Martinelli must be told what crimes he is saddled with.: the inviolability of secrecy and the right to privacy, and embezzlement.

Carrillo said that the provisional arrest warrant of Martinelli,  was  “without foundation” and “illegal” because, it , was not ordered by the full Court.

At the Foreign Ministry they reiterated on Friday that they have not received any request from the judge to process the extradition of the former president.

Educator Yadira Pino, one of the victims of spying allegedly committed by Martinelli, said: “The judge  is ambivalent, zigzagging, and  fearful and makes very cosmetic decisions, so that it cannot be said that it is not doing anything”” ,

He added that “the judge has delayed and has  not  executed orders that should have been executed in the appropriate time.”

Olympus Saez, another victim, said: “I suspect that they will extend this process, possibly until next season.

He said it was difficult to believe the Supreme Court truly intends to bring Martinelli to justice  because you have to consider that most of the judges, starting with  Chief magistrate [Joseph] Ayu Prado, were appointed by  Martinelli “.