Panama Attorney General under fire

CIVIC GROUPS  in Panama have reacted strongly to published revelations about the country’s  failure to cooperate with Brazilian prosecutors.

Attorney General, Kenia Porcell   has been singled out for her lack of response to judicial aid requests from Brazilian prosecutors working on the Lava Jato (car wash)  case.

Movin the Panama  Independent Movement  issued a statement on Monday September 19 emphasizes that, in a globalized world where crimes involve several jurisdictions, there must be cooperation between countries.

“There cannot be speeches for transparency and the combatting of corruption without being accompanied by actions that send a message to the world that Panama will not tolerate these acts,” the group said.

The neglected inquiries concerned accounts in Panama banks allegedly used to transfer bribes which the Odebrecht company has admitted paying.

The former president of the company who was feted in Panama, is serving a near 20 year jail sentence.

He is cooperating with authorities in an attempt to get his sentence reduced.

Meanwhile the Panama government and the municipality continue to award  major contracts to the  Brazilian construction company.