Ex-police chief jail term upheld

THE FORMER  Panama Police Director who early in his preventive detention complained of claustrophobia, will have  five years and four months  behind bars  to adjust.

The appeal of Gustavo Pérez against his sentence for the illegal possession of weapons has been rejected

That sentence had been handed down by the 10th Criminal Court.

In a decision issued July 17 and released this week, Judge Secundino Mendieta ratified the sentence applied December. 2, 2015.

Pérez’s lawyer, Holland Polo, had appealed the sentence saying the raid that led to the weapons being found was illegal.

The raid was conducted as part of the investigation into the former police director for illegal surveillance during the administration of President Ricardo Martinelli.

The claim was rejected because the court ruled that it should have been presented before the case was adjudicated.

Perez is still awaiting trial on the spying charge which could earn him up to another 20 years jail time.