New anti corruption prosecutors to strengthen  Odebrecht probe

The  names of two new Special Anti-corruption Prosecutors who  will strengthen the team  investigating  the sores of millions of bribes paid by Odebrecht in Panama will be announced Monday says  Attorney General, Eduardo Ulloa

“These are measures that we are taking to strengthen the position of the Public Ministry, within all these high profile cases,” he said.

The Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office was created in January 2017. At that instance, prosecutors Zuleyka Moore, Tania Sterling, Ruth Morcillo and Vielka Broce were assigned. The latter has already retired.

On the other hand, Ulloa – who took office last January 2, replacing Kenya Porcell – reported that three prosecutors and an administrative official were fired for committing “improper” He did not specify their names.

The AG stressed that the message for prosecutors is that they must have a commitment to fulfill their obligations and to society, which demands effective work to ensure safety.

On Odebrecht, Ulloa said that once the procedural times are met, the case will be resumed and actions will be taken to ensure that this case is investigated from its beginning to the end.

“The investigation has to be complete. There cannot be a selective investigation and it has to cover all those people who in one way or another have had some criminal involvement with this company. Although they are high profile politicians; there is no distinction here, ”he said.

The First Superior Court authorized an extension of just over five months for the prosecution to investigate, but the decision was appealed by three of those involved: Luis Enrique and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares – sons of former President Ricardo Martinelli – and the former Minister of Public Works, Federico Suárez. The case is now in the Supreme Court.