Martinelli’s son has 3 days to present evidence to extradition judges

Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares,  the oldest son of former president Ricardo Martinelli detained in Guatemala since July 6, has three days to present evidence supporting a challenge to the judges who will rule on his eventual extradition to the United States to face money laundering charges.

The challenge against the magistrates of the Third Court of Criminal Sentencing, Naroactivity, and Crimes against the Environment, was accepted by the First Chamber of the Court of Appeals, of Guatemala, according to a resolution of August 21, signed by the presiding magistrate acting Freedyn Waldemar Fernández Ortiz and the secretary Paola Leonor Pardo Palacios.

“The Chamber gives the lawyers three days to present the evidence … With the evidence presented by the lawyers, the Chamber has to decide. It is only to process the appeal, which means that they are close to solving. This procedure is normal in all challenges that are presented, ”said journalist Rony Ríos, from El Periódico de Guatemala.

Although the resolution of the Appeals Chamber is from August 21, it was only notified to the defense on Wednesday, September 30.

Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares, Ricardo Alberto’s brother, also filed a challenge against the Fifth Criminal Sentencing Court, which must decide his extradition to the United States.

Ricardo Alberto, in addition, presented an Amparo in which he alleges the alleged violation of his rights as an alternate deputy of Parlacen (a position he has never held, as he has not been sworn in) and insists on the need to grant him more time, to prepare his defense. This Amparo is in the Second Chamber of the Court of Appeals.

Until these appeals are resolved the brothers would not be extradited to the United States, on charges of money laundering and conspiracy to wash assets.