Martinelli defense claims judicial manipulation

A LAWYER  representing ex-president Ricardo Martinelli in an embezzlement case took his client’s “political persecution” mantra another step claiming “judicial manipulation”

Sidney  Sitton  a member of a high priced legal team that packs court benches every time Martinelli fails to appear, was responding to a judge’s rejection of arguments calling for dismissal of the case involving multi millions of dollars, linked to Martinelli.

On Thursday, April 15, Judge Geronimo  Mejía admitted as evidence,  results of a request for judicial assistance submitted to Brazilian authorities by  the  Prosecutor ,Judge  Oyden Ortega.

The case relates to Martinelli and irregularities in the purchase of dehydrated food through the National Assistance Program (PAN).

Ortega asked Brazil to verify purchases made by the company Lerkshore International Limited from the Brazilian company Prativita Nutricionales Ltda. for $15.5 million.

Brazilian authorities supplied copies of the purchase orders and checks that proved the payments were made.

The documents were admitted by Mejía. Mejía who also rejected a request from Martinelli’s lawyers to dismiss the charges, as well as a request to keep the evidence from Brazil out of the case.

Sitton, , argued unsuccessfully that the time limit for adjudicating the case had expired.

He also claimed that the prosecutor had made procedural errors in requesting the documents from Brazil.

As he left the court after the decisions against him were handed down, Sitton said there is “clear judicial manipulation” of the case.