Probes of Martinelli filed in grains scandal

JUDGE  José Ayú Prado, acting as prosecutor, has ordered the provisional filing of investigations of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, and the deputies Vidal García and Sergio Chello Gálvez – from the CD Party for the purchase of grains with funds from the National Assistance Program (PAN), in the last government.

Ayú Prado says that, so far, he has not been able to gather enough evidence for a conviction or punishable appearance “, according to a Judicial Branch press release.

“If the introduction of new elements to this research is achieved, that facilitate the determination of the authors or participants, the reopening of the cause may be considered “, says the release

The First Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office initiated the investigations for the presumed crimes of money laundering and embezzlement, in contracts managed by Rafael Guardia, director of the PAN in the last government, for the purchase of grains. In his statement to investigators, Guardia stated that Martinelli was the one who gave the guidelines to award the contracts.

The prosecution compiled copies of the file. The complaint was admitted by the plenary of the  Supreme Court on September 17, 2015; Ayú Prado was appointed fiscal magistrate, while Jerónimo Mejía was named judge of guarantees.

Guardia stated that, in his telephone conversations, Martinelli always told him: “Do what Chici tells you “, referring to his private secretary, Adolfo Chichi de Obarrio, who assigned the contracts for the direct purchase of grains.

Mario Martinelli – brother of the former president- and several PAN providers are being investigated in the case. The whereabouts of De Obarrio, who fled the country is unknown.

Article 275 of the Code of Criminal Procedure states that the prosecutor may order the filing of the case, “if he has not been able to identify the author or participate or it is manifest the impossibility of gathering elements of conviction. “Your decision can be reviewed by the judge of guarantees,” if the victim requests it.” Reports La Prensa.

Ayú Prado came to court with Martinelli, who appointed him judge from January 2013, for a period of 10 years.