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.
