Martinelli moment of truth nears

AN ATLANTA  based  US federal court of appeals has convened a hearing for  “oral arguments” on the bail of Panama’s ex-President Ricardo Martinelli, granted by a Florida, but appealed by the US Attorney’s Office, which represents the Government of Panama.

The Court of Appeals of the Eleventh Judicial District did not give the date of the bail hearing of Martinelli, who is approaching a year behind bars in a Miami detention center.

Both Martinelli’s defense and the Prosecutor’s Office will be able to present their arguments on bail, approved last February by Judge Marcia G. Cooke, but suspended the next day, following the appeal.

In the same court, former President Martinelli appealed the appeal for amparo against extradition denied by Judge Cooke, who corroborated last January the decision of Judge Edwin Torres, of August 2017, in favor of repatriating him for four crimes related to illegal wiretapping. and embezzlement (

Panama asked the United States extradition of Martinelli, 66, to answer for a case of illegal wiretapping of `50mduring his government (2009-2014) of which 150 people, including journalists, businessmen, and opposition politicians.

Judge Torres certified the extradition of the former president in August 2017, considering that “there is sufficient evidence to establish probable cause for all charges filed” against him.

US prosecutors opposing bail consider billionaire Martinelli a flight risk.

If convicted he could face  a sentence of 20 years, with other charges pending.