Controversial helicopter purchase unveiled

PRESIDENT Ricardo Martinelli and cabinet members stayed away from the unveiling of the new helicopters purchased from the Italian consortium Finmeccanica.

Officials with the national air service Senan unveiled the aircraft on Friday September 6, at rain soaked Tocumen, They are part of a controversial contract signed in 2010 for $250 million, which also included the purchase of 19 radars and a digital map.

The helicopters were presented by Alejandro Garuz, director of the National Security Council. at the Captain Juan Delgado Air Base in Tocumen.
The president of the Finmeccanica consortium is facing charges of bribery in Italy, and Walter Lavitola an Italian go-between who had close contact with Martinelli and his son, is in prison in Italy as further investigations into worldwide bribery continue.