Embezzlement runaway seeks political asylum
MAYER MIZRACHI Matalon, wanted by the First Anticorruption Prosecutor for alleged embezzlement, from the Government Innovation Authority (AIG), has no intention of returning to Panama to face justice.
Detained in Bogota, Colombia, on December 29, Mizrachi won his release on Wednesday, June 22 at a time when deportation to Panama was pending, for overstaying the 90 days he could legally stay in the neighboring country.
On Thursday, June 24 Mizrachi applied through his lawyer Alexander Vernot for political asylum. He claims to be politically persecuted by President Juan Carlos Varela and invokes Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that “in case of persecution, everyone has the right to seek asylum and to enjoy life in any country.”
“The current government of the Republic of Panama has partnered and saddled the Mayer family relationship with the president Ricardo Martinelli [with whom he has no relationship of any kind]; because his father, Aron Ronny Mizrachi, had a relationship with Mrs. Analida Martinelli, sister of ths former President of Panama, for several years, “says Vernot in the note to the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“Mayer has reported that in Panama there are no legal guarantees at this time, neither shall they respect his rights , as indeed has happened with many other cases under the current government of people associated with the previous government of Martinelli,” adds Vernot .
This week, the Second Superior Court ordered the lifting of the arrest warrant and extradition issued against Mayer. Earlier, in January, the same court favored his release on bail of $ 100k with an injunction that prevented him from leaving the country. He left for the US.
Migration Colombia filed a criminal complaint against the Colombian National Penitentiary and Prison, for not having delivered Mayer Mizrachi after his release from La Picota prison, on Wednesday.
He is under investigation for allegedly receiving money from the state without providing the contracted service: the installation of a software (Criptext) to encrypt messages in the cell of personnel security sectors. AIG paid $ 211 850 for the service. Innovative Venture, the company of Mizrachi.
Also charged, and left holding the can are the former head of AIG, Eduardo Jaen, and former officials Adonay Ortega, Eduardo Briceño and Edgar Rodriguez.
The preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 26.
Mizrachi’s father Aaron who was also facing investigation in cases, fled Panama on Martinelli’s private jet in August last year.
