Noriega era prosecutor appointment denounced

The appointment of a former prosecutor of the Noriega dictatorship as Panama’s new Attorney General, has raised a storm of criticism.

The Cabinet Council appointed Ana Belfon, current Secretary of Legal Affairs, Ministry of the Presidency and a prosecutor during the military dictatorship, to replace Attorney General, Jose Ayu Prado, who was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court replacing Aníbal Salas, whose term expires  December 31.

Roberto Troncoso, president of the Association of Business Executives (Apede), said that, of the two appointments, he is  more concerned about  Belfon, "as she  is known for her work with the military and their persecutions."

In 1986, she  ordered the detention of La Prensa journalist Guillermo Sanchez Borbon.

The founder of the Civil Crusade, Aurelio Barria, warned that "the real civilistas repudiate the appointment of  Belfon… “An infamous memory."

She "can now free her boss (Noriega), who remains in jail in Panama, as she was an instrument of the military dictatorship.” He said. “Martinelli, has shown total disregard for the citizens who feel that the Attorney General should be a person with values and ethics.

Political analyst Edwin Cabrera said that the current situation causes uneasiness in the administration of justice, with a president of the Court (Alejandro Moncada) who 20 years ago was media  censor  and now a former dictatorship  prosecutor as the Attorney General. "That's not a good message," he said.

Professor  Miguel Antonio Bernal constitutionalist said  that, as a prosecutor, she violated due process and the human rights of thousands of Panamanians in the dictatorship, so her appointment is an "insult".He predicted bitter moments for Panamanians, and said the National Assembly has been reduced to a "rubber stamp" for the will of the president.

"The Assembly has ceased to be an independent body," he said. "These appointments are approved at lightning speed."

Democracy Front leader Mariano Mena said the nomination by Martinelli of Attorney General José Ayú Prado as a judge of the Supreme Court is a case of the president "watching his back."

Mena said that Ayú Prado will be the judge hearing any criminal complaints filed against government officials after the 2014 elections and Ayú Prado is sure to continue his lack of prosecution of allegations of corruption by the current government, while serving as attorney general.

Partido Revolucionario Democrático (PRD) leader Balbina Herrera to described the appointments of José Ayú Prado and Ana Belfon as a "national shame,"

She said that the appointments will ensure that acts of corruption by the government will go unpunished. Herrera said Belfon has been characterized by her defense of President Ricardo Martinelli, and has now been rewarded with the appointment.

Herrera asked: "Where is the separation of power, independence?"

PRD Legislator Juan Carlos Arosemena said that there is a general perception that these two people are completely tied to the government and receive orders from Martinelli.

He said 2013 will be "a very ugly a year full of insults, violence and political persecution” He said the appointments demonstrate a "lack of seriousness" by the government for the judicial system.

Former Attorney General Ana Matilde Gómez said the appointments are not a surprise. The appointments should have been made on an ability to act independently and fairly, and that the process should have been transparent.