Vigil in support of money laundering suspects

EMPLOYEES,and  business associates  of Waked family businesses were joined by political party activists  at  a vigil in Colon  on Wednesday May 9 in support  of Free Zone  businessmen Abdul and Nidal Waked, accused of money laundering,   drug related activities and bank fraud.

Nidal Waked, 44   was arrested  in Bogotá, Colombia, on  Wednesday May , waiting to be extradited to Florida, USA, where he must face charges that could earn him sentences of up to 50 years in jail.

Economist and member of the Democratic Revolutionary Party (CD) Luis Sinclair, questioned the decision by the US Treasury Department to include entrepreneurs and companies in the Clinton List linked to money laundering and drug trafficking activities. He compared this situation with the United States embargo against Cuba, which dates back more than 50 years ago.

Some present were trying to determine the impact that the measure will have on the Colon Free Zone (CFZ), where, they said, have already more than 9,000 jobs have been lost, reports La Prensa

political activists of the Panameñista PRD  and Democratic Change were also involved.in the protest.