Justice crisis takes spotlight off Martinelli
THE JUSTICE CRISIS in Panama, although it involves ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, has temporarily taken the spotlight off the self-exiled former leader and the moves of his pack of legal to avoid trial in the institution that has replaced him in the headlines.
Administration Attorney Rigoberto González and civil societies have called on the National Assembly to summon Justice Harry Díaz to clarify comments he made to the media that while president Ricardo Martinelli tried to interfere with the selection of the
Credentials Committee Chairman Jorge Iván Arrocha has said that Chief Justice José Ayú Prado must submit a complaint for the National Assembly investigate the matter.
Annette Planells, of the Independent Movement, described the explanation of Arrocha as “an unacceptable excuse,” and it was widely condemned by other civil society groups.
President Juan Carlos Varela has refused to comment on the issue, saying it is an internal matter for the court to resolve and got testy with journalists posing questions on the issue.
Meanwhile, judicial sources reported that judges met on Friday, Jan.15 to discuss the problem and decided they would speak with one voice, reports La Prensa.
