OPINION: Justice, wiretaps, and blackmail

Today Panamanians understand better the rot in the highest spheres of justice, which should not only be honest but look like it. The victims of the wiretaps and-why not- the citizens in general, share a reasonable doubt about the capacity of the judges Hernán De León, Efrén Tello and Asunción Alonso, to act objectively in the case. As the Code of Criminal Procedure says in its article 50, there is a basis to challenge a magistrate “whenever there is a well-founded fear of partiality”. The statements of Attorney General Kenia Porcell are a foundation for this fear of partiality. The three judges mentioned have the right to be presumed innocent and respect their privacy, but the population also has the right to expect their magistrates and judges to act free of any doubt. All Panamanians have much to lose if justice remains stained by the suspicion of being kidnapped by blackmail, extortion, and corruption. Señores De León, Tello and Alonso: declare yourselves unable to participate in this case, step aside and give some rest to the whole country …LA PRENSA. Aug 17