Anti-corruption prosecutors stymied by  investigator transfers

Attorney General Kenia Porcell says that the work of anti-corruption prosecutors in high profile investigations has been hampered by the removal of more than 20 agents of the Directorate of Judicial Investigation (DIJ) , the director of Manuel Castillo.

“I do not understand why he is acting like this … He was already the director of the DIJ in the period 2012-2014, with former president  Martinelli, therefore, he knows perfectly how the DIJ works with the Public Ministry. Why is he doing that? “Porcell said on  Friday, July 19.

“Technically, the DIJ is dismantling anti-corruption prosecutors … What the DIJ is doing is destabilizing the institution,” he added.

Castillo has been the director of the DIJ for 12 days. He already held that same position in the government of Ricardo Martinelli, between 2012 and 2014, just when communications were intercepted, without judicial authorization, using personnel and resources of the National Security Council . Due to these facts, there are two ex-directors of the Council sentenced to 80 months in prison and Martinelli is currently on trial reports  La Prensa.

Castillo was appointed to his current  post  by Jorge Miranda, whom President  Laurentino Cortizo appointed director of the National Police

Miranda also had a high position in the administration of Martinelli: he was director of Intelligence of the Police, when the illegal wiretaps  were made.

Porcell said that the agents of the DIJ recently removed from the prosecution offices acted as investigators in the Odebrecht cases , Pandeportes, communal meetings, Blue Apple , “that are , significant investigations for Panama.” 

“Instead of reinforcing [the work teams], they are changing them to put someone unknown who does not know the cases, so that is not a good message in the fight against corruption,” the prosecutor said. 

Porcell said she was “sure” that the Minister of Public Security, Rolando Mirones, is unaware of Miranda’s actions. Sh e said that prosecutors will send a note to the director of the DIJ to inform him of the negative consequences of his decision. 

She added that she trusts the word of Cortizo, who at  his inauguration asked prosecutors and judges to do their work independently, although she acknowledged that every time there is a change of government “they always want to remove the prosecutor.”

“I have not been asked to resign, but I do have to say that the team that surrounds me and the prosecutors are are asking: ‘and when is the prosecutor going? When do you resign? What are you going to do? Now, what is going on the street? … But I am not going to resign, I am the constitutional attorney of Panama until 2024. More than threats, there is always a message, a chat, a gloss, a visit that says when they leave “, warned Porcell.

Odebrecht

 
Porcell reiterated the call y to continue investigating the Odebrecht case.

“We received in good faith the information of correct investigative journalism,” she said. As a result, prosecutors are making some confrontations with information already available. ” The message to the Judicial Branch give us more time to investigate.”

She  said that in Brazil, Switzerland, the United States, ans Andorra, investigations are progressing. “Why cannot Panama continue its investigation?”

She indicated that this is due to the lack of will in the administration of justice. “Everyone takes care of their name and surname.”

Porcell reiterated the call made by the Public Ministry to continue investigating the Odebrecht case.

“We received in good faith the information of a correct investigative journalism,” she said. As a result, prosecutors are making some confrontations with information already available. ” The message to the Judicial Branch, is  give us more time to investigate.”

She  said that in Brazil, Switzerland, the United States, Andorra, investigations are progressing. “Why cannot Panama continue its investi gation?”

She indicated that this is due to the lack of will in the administration of justice. “Everyone takes care of their name and surname.”