“Disabled” ex-president posted partying photos

Former president Ricardo Martinelli dodged the first day of hearing into the purchase of Editora Panamá América, SA (2010) with money supposedly from the State, a process known as New Business,  by presenting a disability certificate although social networks carry photos of his attendance at various social functions and he was recently seen striding through the halls of the  National Assembly.

Third Criminal Court Liquidator, in charge de Baloisa Marquínez,  is hearing the case in the building of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino), in Amador, where on Thursday lawyers for those involved filed appeals with the purpose of dismissing the investigation and, consequently, stopping the hearing.

The defense of Ricardo Martinelli, for example, asked Judge Marquínez to suspend the hearing, alleging that the former President of the Republic has electoral criminal jurisdiction because his party, Realizing Goals, is in an internal electoral process.

Roniel Ortiz, former president’s lawyer, delivered seven bulletins from the Electoral Court, related to the political tournament.

Judge Marquínez ruled that he did not have electoral jurisdiction, since the internal campaign of that party begins today, Friday, January 28.

The judge also denied two other appeals to the former president. In one it was sustained that he was violating the principle of specialty, consigned in the extradition treaty between Panama and the United States Marquínez said that her office had already resolved two similar appeals: one presented by  Eduardo Camacho and another by Alma Cortés.

The judge argued that there is a ruling by the Second Court of Justice confirming that Martinelli is not covered by the specialty principle.

She clarified that she will continue the process against Martinelli until a higher authority notifies her that she must suspend it.

Another rejected annulment appeal alleged that, when the investigation began, Martinelli had “immunity”, as a deputy of the Central American Parliament.

Prosecution case
Prosecutor Emeldo Márquez said that the New Business company was used as a basket to receive funds and finalize the acquisition of Epasa. He said the funds were delivered by companies that received contracts from the State for different infrastructure works. in 2009-2014.

An analysis of deposits made to the New Business account showed that it received economic contributions from a network of transactions that had a common denominator: they all came from contracts given by the State for infrastructure works.

The list of the 25 called to trial has a common factor: most are state contractors in the Martinelli administration and they are linked to other legal cases New Business seems to be the piece of the puzzle that unites the judicial processes.