Investigation opened into Anati flight surveillance
PANAMA’S Attorney General Ana Belfon has opened an inquiry to determine if officials with the National Land Authority (Anati) committed a crime when they flew over the homes of opposition politicians last December.
Belfon confirmed the inquiry when asked about it on the way to a mass at Don Bosco Church on Thursday, June 26 reports La Prensa.
Belfon also confirmed that Anati Director Franklin Oduber sent a report on the proceedings that took place within the entity on Dec. 4, 2013.
That day, three Anati officials inspected beach properties of Panameñista presidential candidate Juan Carlos Varela, his brother, Deputy José Luis Varela; PRD presidential candidate Juan Carlos Navarro, his running mate Gerardo Solí¬s and a Varela family property in Pesé.
The pilot that day, Ricardo Garay, told La Prensa that only the properties of the opposition candidates were inspected. He also said that three officials of Anati arrived at the Albrook Airport – from where the flight departed – accompanied by Anati Deputy Director Eric Garcí¬a.
On Wednesday José Luis Varela unveiled an audio tape in which Oduber is allegedly heard telling his staff not to comment about the investigation and to mislead judicial authorities.
“Be calm and don’t say anything. It is best not to explain anything,” a voice thought to be Oduber is heard saying. “Nobody will investigate you.”