‘Father of mining’ to stay behind bars

RICHARD FIFER, the man who likes to describe himself as the father of mining in Panama is to remain behind bars in the Penonome jail.

The Coclé Court of Appeals on Tuesday Mar 2,  rejected an appeal presented by the defense of  the  former governor of the provinc , and controversial head of Petaquilla Gold which has been engaged in ongoing battles witeh former  mine workers, the government and environmental authorities.

Due to the decision, Fifer will remain detained on the order of Judge Yazmin Jaén as part of the investigation by the public prosecutor into alleged offenses against public administration reports La Prensa.

Fifer is alleged to have failed to pay fees to Social Security owed by Petaquilla that total $3.2 million.

Fifer was jailed after prosecutors argued he could be a flight risk, as he has dual citizenship. He was arrested last week in Colombia based on a red alert issued by Interpol.

Fifer faces another hearing on Wednesday on charges that another company he headed, Panamá Desarrollo de Infraestructura, also failed to pay required fees to Social Security.