Martinelli recycles old ploy to dodge trial

With only Six days left before the trial of the New Business case, that follows the trail of the purchase of Editora Panamá América S.A. (Epasa), allegedly with public funds, former President Ricardo Martinelli appears in a photograph lying in a hospital bed.

The photograph was published in a tweet by Luis Eduardo Camacho, his long-time mouthpiece who has monopolized the words “political persecution” to describe any moves against the former president forced him to cancel a scheduled national tour, former President Martinelli will undergo his third surgery in one hour.  On the recommendation of his doctors and due to a relapse in his spinal problems, hope for his speedy recovery keep him in your prayers. ”says the message made public at 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, May 17.

The trial in the New Business case is scheduled to take place between May 23 and June 5, 2023.

The first indications that medical incapacity would be one of Martinelli’s attempts to avoid trial, came to light on Sunday, May 14, when he appeared at the Hosanna Apostolic Community. That day, Pastor Edwin Alvarez prayed to him, and in the middle of the prayer he asked God to guide “the surgeon”, “the nurse” and “the whole team”.

Old ploy
In June 2021, Martinelli used the same strategy on the eve of the trial in the puncture case. On June 20, 2021, he underwent “major surgery” on his spine., the announcement was made by Camacho.

The Judicial Branch told  La Prensa that in the event that any of the 20 defendants in the New Business case cannot appear on May 23, the process will not be suspended, since they are all duly represented by their lawyers. In the specific case of Martinelli, he could follow the trial through a video.

Through edict No. 205 of May 12, posted on the notice board of the Superior Court of Appeals of the First Judicial District, a new judicial appeal was denied to Martinelli’s legal team for the New Business case. On this occasion, the Superior Court for Settlement of Criminal Cases flatly rejected a warning of unconstitutionality presented by the lawyer Luis Eduardo Camacho González, representing Martinelli.

Last week, the First Court of Justice did not admit protection of guarantees presented by the defense of José Carlos and Nicolás Corcione Pérez Balladares against the resolution issued by the second judge liquidating criminal cases, Baloisa Marquinez, for which they are called to trial.

Previously, the First Criminal Case Settlement Court resolved an incident of recusal that was presented by the lawyer by the lawyer Ernesto Mora Valentine, on behalf of Moussa Daniel Levy, one of the defendants in the case. The challenge filed against Marquinez, was rejected considering that it tried to delay the process.