New immigration scandal as suspected prostitutes disappear

The former sub director of Panama’s immigration service (SNM) is under investigation for allegedly trafficking East European women, believed by Panama’s ambassador to Russia to be here to practice prostitution.

The Public Ministry (MP) began an investigation into Jaime Ruiz, for allowing visas to 10 women from different European countries  to work in a nightclub on the Amador Causeway

The whereabouts of seven of the women citizens is currently unknown,  according to judicial sources.

SNM director, Maria Cristina Gonzalez, who was previously in the spotlight after reports of  the trafficking of Chinese immigrants, filed a complaint on Thursday June 9 at the office of Attorney General Jose Ayu Prado.

The same day, President Ricardo Martinelli accepted the resignation of Ruiz. The investigation began in May, when Gonzalez was alerted by the owners of The Diamond Club, located in Las Brisas de Amador, Isla Perico, because they had lost track of seven women who had entered the country with visas issued by the deputy director and who had not fulfilled their contracts.

The girls allegedly entered Panama as entertainment workers says La Prensa.

The Diamon Club's  website says that is has the hottest dancers in Panama and is the only club that has European girls providing  erotic shows, and full nudes. It claims to provide "the highest possible level of service from every aspect" with private shows and laptop dancing.

Internal investigations of  the NMS revealed that visas  for ten women were stamped. Four were Romanian, three from Ukraine, two from Moldova and Russia.

They were approved in February by the ambassador of  Panama in Russia, Julio Cordova, and his assistant, Rigoberto Castillo and arrived in Panama March 6,  after the Ruiz signed and authorized visas that allow them to stay and work in the country for up to nine months.

The work permit for the group was presented by attorney Jorge Epifanio Herrera, on behalf of Luis Armando Lescure, legal representative of The Diamond Club. March 25, Ruiz informed the lawyer Epifanio Herrera that permission was granted to the 10 women. The investigations also indicate that the 10 women signed a lease to live in a two-story duplex, also located on Perico Island.

The house has with three bedrooms,a living room, kitchen and laundry area, with a monthly rent of 500 dollars. The landlord was Luis Armando Lescure, the legal representative of The Diamond Club.

It was known that the women signed contracts of employment,, with salaries of $ 350 a month, which  to work seven hours a day for six consecutive days and on the seventh day rest.

The management of NMS received on  April 4 and May 30 last two notes from Epifanio Herrera and Lescure, notifying  that seven of the women had  "fled" the place, failing to fulfill their signed contract. a Colombian woman was also reported missing.

The SNM was also informed that only Ukrainians Olha Starokon and Elvira Solovey and stayed in the duplex Perico Island and the  woman from, Moldova, requested permission to leave the country on April 4. SNM director, Maria Cristina Gonzalez, said Ruiz allowed work visas of the 10 EU would work in the nightclub, without consulting her. She said that Ruiz took the initiative while  she was on a  working visit to China.

Gonzalez reported the irregularities to President Ricardo Martinelli, June 8.

Panama's ambassador in Russia, Julio Cordova, said that although the group had the requirements to obtain a visa for Panama, he suspected that they intended to engage in prostitution, and  alerted the Foreign Ministry.

Cordoba released to the media a series of emails in which he advised Vice President and Foreign Minister, Juan Carlos Varela, of  his suspicions related to "invitations"  made by Panamanian companies. Ruiz said he did not fear being investigated ans said he signed the permits because all documentation was in order and, in the absence of Gonzalez, was empowered to carry out this process.

He said his resignation was unrelated to the investigation, as he had  decided to leave the facility to make way for the new structure when the merger of SNM and the Customs Authority takes place.