Easing preventive detention does not mean suspect off the hook
THE CHANGING by judges of a preventive detention order to house or country arrest is not the end of the criminal process but “on the contrary, it is a sign that the court endorses the investigation by the Public Ministry” said Attorney General Kenia Porcell on Saturday, May 21.
Meanwhile Tania Sterling, first Anticorruption prosecutor, and who also serves as coordinator of the Anticorruption prosecutors of the Public Ministry, revealed that in the processing of corruption cases reported in the last two years arrests of of 175 people, were ordered but not all involved preventive detention..
She said noted that 80% of the related summaries of alleged corruption, by government officials of President Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014), have been processed.
She also said that processes were repeatedly delayed while waiting audits developed by personnel of the Comptroller General of the Republic. , he explained That element is “indispensable” to uncover the destination of public funds, and to determine the responsibility of officials in their good or bad administration.
She added that gathering information through visual inspection errands and taking statements, bank records verification and accreditation of linking the suspects, “all takes time”.
She acknowledged that some of the arrests have been modified by the courts to precautionary measures ranging from house arrest to a ban on leaving the country, but added that in most cases has the criminal process has remained in place.
