Panama needs judges brave in the face of corruption – Transparency International

The Foundation for the Development of Citizen Freedom , the Panama chapter of Transparency International (TI) , said Friday  that the administration of justice, both in the investigation and prosecution function of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as well as the resolution function of the  Judicial Branch ” throws a negative balance “in the multiple cases of corruption in the country. 

The negative balance includes “unexplained dismissals, annulment of evidence, interim judges with nefarious records and others.” And now it is “crowned” with the decision of the Second Court of Justice to close the investigation time of the “greatest corruption scheme in the history of the country: the criminal activity of the Odebrecht company in Panama,” said a statement from the foundation. 

“It is a decision that we question and denounce from procedural law, as it is a cause that exceeds the complexity criteria,” says the statement

“Corruption counterattacks and impunity is its quintessential weapon,”

It also sends a message to the Public Ministry and the Executive  requesting  be more “proactive, brave and independent” to take all appropriate actions to “exhaust the last instance in the Supreme Court of Justice.”

It  reminds them  of President Laurentino Cortizo’s promise to appoint magistrates and attorneys “without political, business or family ties.” 

“If we want to end impunity, we need the best justice operators: probos, independents, with judicial experience and brave in the face of corruption,” the Foundation adds.