Son of ex-president Martinelli appeals extradition to US

The lawyers of Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares, detained for 11 months in Guatemala, presented three appeals, in an attempt to prevent his extradition to the United States, where he is wanted to face trial in New York for crimes related to money laundering.

The appeals must now be resolved by the First Chamber of the Court of Appeals of Guatemala.

In the past, the Court of Appeals denied a challenge to the defense against the Fifth Court judges. The lawyer Denis Cuesy alleged in that action that the judges had issued opinions, without knowing the response of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) , on the alleged prerogatives that his client would have. The Court has also rejected Cuesy’s arguments regarding alleged violations of the bilateral extradition treaty between the United States and Guatemala.

Since his capture, on July 6, at the La Aurora airport in Guatemala City, the defense of Luis Enrique and his brother Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares (also detained in that operation) has been that both are diplomats and alternate deputies of the Parlacen. The regional body has recognized that the two sons of former President Ricardo Martinelli were elected in May 2019, but they have never been sworn in or have served as such.