More court stalling in Martinelli case
THE INVESTIGATION into alleged irregularities in the purchase of dehydrated food by former President Ricardo Martinelli, has been stalled in Panama’s Supreme Court for four months.
Key judges in a corruption plagued court, are once again, apparently sitting on their hands in a case involving Martielli, raising concerns among civil society groups.
A Supreme Court justice has asked the plenary of the court to resolve suits filed against the so-called “shield law,” which regulates investigations of deputies in both the National Assembly and the Central American Parliament (Parlacen.)
Martinelli is currently listed as a deputy of Parlacen, which he once labeled a retreat for thieves.
The shield law sets a deadline of two months in which to investigate deputies.
Judge Oyden Ortega filed one of the suits, while the other two were filed by lawyer Carlos Rubio. The three lawsuits were accumulated into one file on Sept. 17 before Judge Hernán De Leon. His draft decision has yet to be discussed by the full court. That has stalled the case against Martinelli.
Ortega sent a note on Monday November 16 in which he asked the plenary of the court to resolve the issue “without delay.”
De Leon is listed as one of the three judges who have spent most time and money traveling. Th others are Luis Ramon Fabrega and Jose Ayu Prado(court president). Between them they have spent $160,106 not including Prado’s recent trip to Germany.
