The 83 Suntracs Workers Will Be Released: Judge Imposes Periodic Notification Measure

Panama City: The accused must appear on the 15th and 30th of each month to appear before the authorities. Judge Luzmila Jaramillo established the precautionary measures of periodic reporting for the 83 workers who were charged with the violent events recorded during the protest on Avenida Balboa on February 12.  The workers will not be allowed to leave the provinces of Panama, Panama West and Colon, where they reported their residence. They are also prohibited from approaching the victims.  According to the information, the judge considered that there were no links; strengthened against those accused, for which reason she granted said measures, but said that there are serious crimes such as arson and crimes against the lives of public servants that must be investigated. 

When the workers’ lawyers were asked if they would appeal the judge’s decision, they said no; however, the Prosecutor’s Office stated that it would do so.  If these citizens violate the measures, they could be subject to a change from precautionary measures to preventive detention.  During the hearing, reference was also made to the damages reported by the company building the new Children’s Hospital, the epicenter of the protest, for more than one million, and the 17 police officers who were injured, which the judge believes should be investigated.

For this sixth day of hearings, the judge of guarantees of the First Judicial Circuit of Panama, Luzmila Jaramillo, continued listening to the arguments of the last five private defenses, as part of the support of requests for personal precautionary measures for the 83 defendants, for their alleged participation in the clashes that occurred on February 12 between construction workers and the National Police on Balboa Avenue.  After noon, after the requests for precautionary measures by private defenders had been completed, at around 1:30 p.m. Judge Jaramillo declared a recess until 2:30 p.m.  All of the defendants’ defense attorneys have asked for more flexible measures than those requested by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested the following charges:

• Against public servants.
• Against collective security.
• Against economic assets (damages).
• Against individual freedom.
• Against life and personal integrity (personal injuries).

In addition, the Court has requested that the freedom of the 83 detainees be restricted, arguing that the restriction of freedom is required due to the possibility of escape attempts, destruction of evidence, or because they could represent a danger to the community, the victims or their families. At this hearing, the Public Prosecutor’s Office is represented by prosecutors Elizabeth Carrión, Yenibeth Barraza and Yina Días de Gracias, while the defense of the accused is in the hands of 19 private attorneys.  Due to the large number of people present, the hearing to control multiple applications is being held at the Training and Recreation Centre (Cefre) of the Social Security Fund.