Martinelli responds to judge’s abuse of courts comments

Former president Ricardo Martinelli said that his representatives have the power to present the resources protected by the law and the Constitution, in response to the recent statements of the presiding judge of the Supreme Court María Eugenia López, on lawyers who abuse when presenting appeals.

The words of the former president, who is also a presidential candidate, were given upon his arrival at the  Roundtable of Journalists.

“Whatever the law says will be presented,” he stressed.

So far, more than 10 appeals filed by Martinelli in the New Business case have been rejected.

At the time, the presiding judge of the Court referred to the number of appeals filed by lawyers in some cases, in obvious reference to the defense of the former president.

“Many times it is not understood and the question of citizens is: But why does this case take so long?  It takes so long for many reasons, but a fundamental one is the abuse of the exercise of law.  Exercising legitimate defense, a good defense does not mean hindering the administration of justice.  I can serve my client optimally and efficiently, but for that, I do not have to abuse the exercise of law. We wear out the system,” López indicated.

She added that,  if a lawyer repeatedly files the same appeal 15 to 20 times calling it something else, he is hindering the justice system. Furthermore, she stressed that this is unethical.

Currently, the  Second Criminal Chamber has to resolve an appeal to rule on whether to confirm or revoke the sentence against Martinelli and four other people in the  New Business case.

Judge Baloisa Marquínez, in charge of the  Second Liquidation Court of Criminal Cases by the ruling of July 17, 2023, convicted  Martinelli for the crime of money laundering and a sanction of  128 months in prison in the  New Business case.