Israeli trained spy team at work in Panama

WHATEVER kind of phone you used during the five years of the Martinelli government you would not be able to hide from the sophisticated Israeli spying equipment used by a five man team to monitor opposition parties, opponents of then president Ricardo Martinelli and journalists

 The Whatsapp and Blackberry messenger applications also succumbed to government espionage reports La Prensa.
The whereabouts of two of the spy team is still unknown, while another is currently working with former president Ricardo Martinelli, who received weekly reports on what was intercepted.
An investigation is underway to trace the whereabouts of the equipment which cost $13.4 million
A source close to the investigation, who preferred to remain anonymous, told La Prensa that the artifact bought from the Israeli company MLM Protection could get to a computer and get all the information stored there; capture data from any cell regardless of model or brand, and copy audio, video images; and collect the talks on WhatsApp or Blackberry messenger.
The source explained that the team operating the apparatus consisted of five officers of the National Security Council who were trained by the Israeli company. Of this group the whereabouts of William Pittí and Rony Rodriguez are unknown, while Reinaldo Diaz, works with former president Martinelli.
Although all the directors of the National Security Council during the administration of Martinelli claimed never to have seen the team, the source indicated that this unit was in one of the buildings of this institution in Quarry Heights, on the slopes of Ancon Hill. They disappeared – after the results of the general elections on May 4.
In mid-2010, the Social Investment Fund extinct (FIS), now National Support Program, directed by Giacomo Tamburrelli purchased a computer from the Israeli company MLM which intercepted communications. At that time, the company already had a contract with the government of Martinelli for training agents of Institutional Protection Service (SPI) in monitoring the President.
The purchase exceeded $ 300,000, so that the transaction had to be approved by the board of FIS, then composedof Guillermo Ferrufino, Minister of Social Development; Lucy Molinar, Minister of Education; Federico Suárez, Minister of Public Works and Demetrio Papdimitriu, Minister of the Presidency.
Papadimitriu confirmed to La Prensa the purchase of the equipment, in response to a suggestion by MLM due to a “national security crisis.” At that time, the government tried to resolve the protests in Bocas del Toro product of the imposition of the so-called sausage law when indigenous protesters were killed, blinded and wounded with buckshot by government security forces.
A complaint has been filed by the new director of the National Security Council, Rolando López, against his predecessor, Alejandro Garuz related to Martinelli by the marriage of his daughter to Martinelli’s son. He seeks to trace disappearance of the team, and the equipment,
One of the banks involved in this transaction is Banco de Occidente in Colombia, through which the government made several payments.
The training for use of the equipment, , is relatively easy the source said.  A week is enough for someone skilled in the use of basic technology.
With the training under their belt the group of five, led by Rony Rodriguez, began opeerations.
The Security Council was the team’s base: with several compartments holding the various components of the equipment
There were two extensions. One worked using laptops. These could be transported easily to intercept conversations via phone (voice or messaging), in person, or just capture the personal data of another computer.
The other sophisticated spy tool consisted of a small device in a backpack. It dad a shorter range, but equally able to satisfying curiosity about a private conversation reports La Prensa
The MLM, , company periodically updated the device to always be at the forefront of mobile and new operating systems.
The group of five, according to the source, he prepared a detailed report of the most interesting conversations every Monday for Martinelli The director of the Security Council was usually responsible for providing the information, though occasionally it was handled by to Reinaldo Diaz.

On March 19, 2010, just one day after the National Assembly repealed the executive decree that organized the Security Council, Martinelli signed his own decree to restructure the organization.

“The council is the authority of the Executive Body and governing body of inquiry to establish and articulate the security and defense policy of the state, so it should recommend, formulate and evaluate policies and strategies in this area, as well as those issues that are entrusted by President of the Republic.” Martinelli, who made it clear under the new standard the president is the only person authorized to call a meeting of the institution.

 Garuz, in a press conference said: “When he [Lopez] made the transition period, I spent about 10-12 hours a day with him. I gave explanations for many things. He wondered and questioned in relation to a computer that I did not know existed and has never been within the council. My conscience is clean and quiet. No need to worry, “The Garuz. version is almost identical to the statements given by the rest of the directors of the National Security Council during the Martinelli era
Gustavo Pérez, I charge between March and September 2012 said he that just learned of the purchases. He was succeeded in office by Garuz. “Many modifications were made. I left quickly, because they had to put someone they could trust (…) it was one of the reasons why I wanted out of there,” He who later became Deputy Minister of Government .
July Moltó who directed the institution between July 2010 and March 2012. also saw nothing. “I do not remember that purchase”.
His predecessor, Olmedo Alfaro, was in charge September 2009 and July 2010, when the expensive equipment was bought . “In my tenure I was unaware of that purchase. … nor do I know its whereabouts,” he said.
Meanwhile, Martinelli broke his silence on Tuesday. After six days of attempts to obtain a reaction. from him.  He said : “I want to talk about what they are taking … those ‘pricks’ I have nothing to do with such nonsense, “He spoke during a visit to the Electoral Tribunal, an institution in which he claimed there was fraud on May 4
When questioned about the complaint against his  in-law, Martinelli said “I do not talk about crap” he was visibly shaken reports La Prensa.