Moves to block Martinelli helicopter seizure

A PETITION to overrule the seizure of a helicopter linked to Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares that is connected to the Odebrecht investigation has been admitted by Panama’s  Supreme Court , but no ruling has been issued say judicial sources.

The action,  another in a long line of delaying tactics in cases related to  the Matrinelli family, was admitted on May 29, was filed by Carlos Carrillo Gomila, on behalf of Aircraft Trust & Financing Corporation, against the Order of March 30, 2017 issued by the Special Prosecutor’s Office.

The helicopter is in the name of Silver Wings Corp., but is registered in the United States in a trust on behalf of Aircraft Trust & Financing Corporation, based in Wilmington, Delaware.

The arrest of the helicopter was ordered by prosecutor Tania Sterling because it is presumed to have been

acquired by Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares “with money from money laundering.”

Luis Enrique and his brother, Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares ­ sons of former president Ricardo Martinelli ­ are charged with money laundering. They and their father are subjects  of International arrest warrants issued by Interpol.

Judicial sources reported that the court has not made a decision on the petition