Judge grants bail for businessman on the run

In the latest revelation of Panama ’s bewildering judicial system, a Panama judge has granted bail to  Gabriel Btesh a fugitive from justice who has fled the country and is being sought by Interpol.

The Fourteenth Court granted a bail for $100,000 to the businessman, in the money laundering criminal process in the Jal Offshore account of Financial Pacific (FP).

The bond was granted on  June 13, along with an impediment of leaving the country and the obligation to report twice a month.

The ruling was signed by Judge Vilma Urieta, who recently decided to file the $30 million case of embezzlement in a loan given by the Savings Bank, for the construction of the Amador Convention Center.

The benefit of release was granted despite the fact that Btesh is out of the country and maintains the status of fugitive from justice, in the New Business case which is related to the purchase of Editora Panamá América for $22 million, allegedly with public funds.

The Office of against Organized Crime the Prosecutor sent a red alert to Interpol, for  Btesh be detained and extradited to Panama for the New Business case.

Meanwhile, the Seventh Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the Jal Offshore account. That FP account used to buy and sell shares in the stock market.

But according to the prosecution, it was used to send and receive money from companies Panamanians and foreigners. It is estimated that $4.4 million was laundered