Court denies Martinelli’s fourth attempt to avoid trial

The Superior Court of Appeals of the First Judicial District unanimously confirmed, on Monday, June 28,  the decision taken by the guarantee judge María José Urbina, who denied former president Ricardo Martinelli the prescription of the criminal action in the puncture [wiretapping ] case.

Earlier the three magistrates: Geovanina Antinori, Omaira Jaramillo and Manuel Sánchez. had accepted the factual appeal presented by the defense of Martinelli against the decision of Judge Urbina who, on June 18, denied declaring the prescription of the criminal action.

The hearing took place virtually; Martinelli did not participate, as he was incapacitated.

It was the fourth hearing requested – in less than a month – by the defense of the former president to air legal appeals related to the process that is being followed for alleged political espionage.

On May 18, another guarantee Elkis Martínez denied the first appeal for criminal statute of limitations presented by the lawyer Alma Cortés. That decision was appealed to the Superior Court of Appeals, which on June 4 confirmed Judge Martínez’s ruling.

In this case, Martinelli had to appear for trial on June 22, but that court appointment was not attended by the ex-president or by his lawyer, after the presentation of two medical certificates.

As a result, the trial court ordered the Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences to conduct a health examination of the former president and appoint two public defenders.

The results of the evaluations will be known on Wednesday, June 30 at a hearing on the subject, while the trial will resume on July 5.