Options for Martinelli trial

 EX-PRESIDENT Ricardo Martinelli’s failure to appear for the start of  for his trial for illegal wiretapping of political opponents, judges and journalists, has raised new procedural options for the continuation of the  case.

La Prensa summarized them on Saturday, December 12:

In accordance with article 490 of the criminal procedure code, it is up to the plenum of the Supreme Court to order the arrest of former President Ricardo Martinelli.

To order the detention of the former president, the judge handling the case must petition the plenum of the court, which needs a simple majority of five votes to approve the measure. The prosecutor and the judge in the case cannot vote, and they must be represented by their alternates.

The court has three options: it can convene an extraordinary plenary session to vote. If at least five judges give their consent, it can notify Interpol to arrest the former president. If the court votes against the measure, it will mean the proceedings are suspended. The third option would be for the court to not act at all, as there is no time limit for a decision to be made.

If the court issues an arrest order, the United States, where Martinelli is believed to be, will play a key role. Martinelli could attempt to block his extradition to Panama, and the case could take months to resolve.