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More names for Panama bribes roll of shame

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Frank de Lima and Jamie Ford

THE NAMES of more former Panama cabinet ministers who allegedly received millions of dollars in bribes from the Odebrecht construction company were revealed to Brazilian prosecutors eight months ago and have now been made public in Panama.

The Odebrecht Structured Operations Sector headed by Luiz Eduardo da Rocha Soares was created to channel bribes to government officials in countries where the company was bidding for contracts.

Soares spoke to Brazilian prosecutors in December  2016  about the activities of the bribes unit in Panama via the company’s local director  André Campos Rabello, reports La Prensa.

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Ricardo Martinelli and his two sons

In addition to “the already well-known senior beneficiaries: ex-President Ricardo Martinelli and his two sons,” Soares fingered  Public Works, Jaime Ford and the Minister of Finance Frank de Lima.

The informant then listed the companies linked to each of them through which the bribe money would have arrived – Westfall Holding, S.A., and Randalee Investments, S.A.

In addition, he mentioned Pachira Limited and Mengil International Limited, which the prosecutor claims are owned by Martinelli’s sons. Ricardo [Alberto] Martinelli [Linares] and Luis [Enrique] Martinelli [Linares].

Soares revealed that between 2010 and 2013 -they received $30 million, deposited in the Private Bank of Andorra, an institution that was intervened in March by the banking authorities of the principality after the United States claimed they were washing assets of Chinese, Russian and Venezuelan criminal organizations.

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Jimmy Papadimitriu

According to the statements made in Brazil, at least three Panama ministers of state would have received bribes from Odebrecht: Demetrio Jimmy Papadimitriu, who, in December categorically, denied the allegations, Frank de Lima and, Jaime Ford.

Ford is in detention in other cases  but his lawyer  Miguel Batista,  told La Prensa: “We are certain that there is no link between former Minister Ford and the money paid by Odebrecht.”

He added that in order to establish a defense strategy, Ford was questioned to see if he had any local or foreign account in which there would be dirty money and Ford replied that he did not.

Frank de Lima, , personally responded to La Prensa by email, saying he never received a cent.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/names-panama-bribes-roll-shame

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Files on lawmaker in Odebrecht bribery probe head to Supreme Court.

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Jorge ALberto Rosas

COPIES of files relating to bribes funneled through a Panama law firm, and handled by a partner who is a deputy in the National Assembly, have been sent to the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ).

The bribes were paid by Odebrecht in Panama through Constructora Internacional del Sur the purview of  Panamanian deputy Jorge Alberto Rosas.

Sources from the CSJ reported that prosecutor Zuleyka Moore, in charge of the investigation, sent the copies on Monday, August  28, reports La Prensa.

By constitutional mandate, the CSJ is where any possible offenses involving deputies are heard

The General Secretariat of the CSJ will carry out the distribution, of the files to determine which magistrate will be the rapporteur in the process against the deputy.

After analyzing the file, the magistrate to whom it is assigned will decide  if there is merit to open an investigation of the deputy

Rosa Mari Molino and Juan Carlos Rosas O’Donnell, partners of the firm Rosas & Rosas, revealed to prosecutor Moore that it was Jorge Alberto Rosas who gave them instructions so that the firm would l be in charge of the service of “obtaining funds in cash for the payment of special payrolls, “through which the firm received more than $2 million from Constructora

Internacional del Sur, S.A., a company that used by the Brazilian construction company to pay bribes abroad.

“Lic. Jorge Alberto Rosas communicated to the graduate Rosa Mari Molino and to me Person that we would be providing the [payroll payments] service to Odebrecht, “said  Carlos Rosas

Deputy Jorge Alberto Rosas represents the circuit 4-6 in Chiriquí. Following the prosecutor’s investigations, he resigned the chairmanship of the National Assembly credentials committee. responsible for assessing complaints against judges.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/files-lawmaker-odebrecht-bribery-probe-head-supreme-court

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Trap closing on Panama bribery suspects

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HOT ON THE HEELS  of a Monday morning raid at the home of ex- Minister of Finance  Frank De Lima The Public Ministry announced  15 simultaneous actions to identify and locate  people and property linked to Odebrecht investigations

In a Sep 4  press release the Public Ministry said that among the proceedings are orders to conduct searches, ocular inspections and investigations.

“This represents the first phase after the signing of agreements, receipt of information, documents and evidence, the results of international assistance, and the research activity carried out by the prosecutor’s offices, with a strong corroboration of the truth of what happened in the Odebrecht case,” said the Ministry.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/trap-tightens-panama-bribery-suspects

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Panama alleged Odebrecht bribe takers named

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Frank de Lima and Jamie Ford

MORE MEMBERS  of  Panama’s power brokers circle during the Ricardo Martinelli  administration have been identified as recipients of “coima” (bribes)   from Brazil construction giant Odebrecht.

Members of the company’s  Structured Operations Sector (set up to deliver bribes)  provided names during  judicial depositions in November and December, as part of the the Brazilian justice system to reduce jail terms

Luiz Eduardo Soares in charge of the sector stated that  he paid bribes to several ministers and  mentioned by name the former Minister  Public Works Jaime Ford,  and  cited a person who was “Minister of Finance”. Sources linked to he investigation pointed out to L a Prensa  that Soares was referring to Frank de Lima, ex-Minister of Economy and Finance, but the ex-Minister categorically denied the accusation reports La Prensa.

De Lima is currently in preventive detention while under investigation linked to Tocumen SA.

Ford’s lawyers, in turn, sais that their client is innocent, and did not receive money from Odebrecht.

Soares also revealed that Riccardo Francolini, a partner of former President Martinelli,received money from an account in Switzerland that was destined for Martinelli.

The defense of Francolini,   rejected the claim. “That is false, he did not receive money from Odebrecht “, said, Marcela Araúz.

The informant said that he did not make the contacts to pay the fines, but André Rabello, the then superintendent of Odebrecht in Panama,  provided fictitious contracts, to be used with banks, to justify the supposed legal origin of the money that would reach accounts  to mask the final beneficiaries.

Ford has been investigated for months by the Public Prosecutor’s 0ffice for alleged overcharges in the Arraiján – La Chorrera highway.

Soares also mentioned as major beneficiaries: former president Ricardo Martinelli and two of his children. The informant used about 15 minutes to refer to the aid he provided to the operations carried out by André Campos Rabello, whose disclosure remains secret.

Soares listed the companies that would be linked to each of them  and  in which the bribes would be deposited.

The companies are Westfall Holding, S.A., and Randalee Investments, S.A. along with Pengira Limited and Mengil International Limited, which the investigator claims are owned by sons of Ricardo Martinelli, and whose names Soares gave as Ricardo [Alberto] Martinelli [Linares] and Luis [Enrique] Martinelli [Linares]. Both are fugitives with an  Interpol international arrest warrant hanging  over their heads.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/panama-alleged-odebrecht-bribe-takers-named

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$10 million in private bank for Panama bribes

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SPAIN’S leading newspaper El Pais has reported that the Odebrecht construction company opened an account in the Private Bank of Andorra (BPA) for the parents of Jimmy Papadimitriu, Panama’s one time  Minister of the  Presidency during the Ricardo Martinelli administration.

The father of the former minister accumulated $10 million dollars, in this and other financial institutions in  Andorra, says the document to which the Spanish newspaper had access.

Jimmy Papadimitriu has been identified as having received $4 million in bribes by the Odebrecht executive in  charge of bribing government officials and businessmen.

He denies having received payments from Odebrecht but acknowledges that his late father Diamantis Papadimitriu held accounts in Andorra as “a lawful commercial activity” although he does not specify how much or what bank. In addition, the former official admits that his father had business with Odebrecht.

“The Private Bank of Andorra (BPA) next to the Meinl Bank of Antigua and Barbuda were the banks that the Brazilian construction company used for the payment of illegal commissions to heads of State and officials of a dozen countries of America, including Panama, where he obtained millionaire contracts for public works “, details El Pais.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/10-million-private-bank-panama-bribes

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62 Odebrecht bribery suspects named

Posted on September 30, 2017 in Panama

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Martinelli ruled in biggest corruption years
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THE NUMBER of  Panama’s  former insiders who inhabited the Martinelli era administration and had the password to reach the treasure trove of bribes from the Odebrecht Construction company has swelled beyond the 40 thieves of  Arabian Nights fame as the biggest corruption scandal in the country;s history unfolds.

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Special Anti-corruption prosecutor Zuleika Moore

The Special Prosecutor for Anti-Corruption  Zuleika Moore, has charged some 62 people with receiving bribes from Odebrecht. They include ex-Ministers, officials and those euphemistically described as “entrepreneurs” many with close business ties to former president Ricardo Martinelli.

This was revealed  to La Prensa by the Public Ministry (MP)  in response to a questionnaire

Prosecutors reported that 36 of the 62 defendants have been investigated with eight  of them in pre-trial detention  in El Renacer prison, and one under house arrest

As part of the investigations, the prosecution has received  52 assists and received six requests for cooperation in  Odebrecht bribery processes in other countries.

Since December 2016, when the Public Ministry reopened the Odebrecht case and the company confessed to paying about $59 million in bribes in Panama, 36 people have been questioned as part of 22 related investigations, opened by the Anti-Corruption Special Prosecutor’s Office.

In January 2017 the MP reported the first 17 defendants, particularly for the bribes paid to Panamanians through Swiss banks.

In  August, the MP reported 43 investigated in all related processes and  Attorney General Kenia Porcell, announced an agreement with Odebrecht giving her access to statements by executives of the company to prosecutors in Brazil. Porcell reported that as part of the agreement a fine of $220 million  was imposed on the construction company.

Denials
The majority of the inquiries are of former government officials, bank employees and entrepreneurs. All have denied to the media that they received bribes from Odebrecht.

Among those who have been interrogated and have given statements  are: former Public Works (MOP)  Ministerd Federico Suárez and Jaime Ford; the former director of the Social Security Fund (CSS) Guillermo Sáez-Llorens; former head of the Financial Analysis  unit Amado Barahona; former Minister of the Presidency Demetrio Papadimitriu ; former Head of MOP Special Projects Carlos Ho González  and his wife and stepdaughter ; along with Mario Martinelli, brother of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli;  businessman Riccardo Francolini,linked to the ex-president and facing other investigations, ;Democratic Change 2014  presidential candidate José Domingo Mimito Arias; local bank employee Humberto De Leonorge Espino and Julián París, of the company Concept and Spaces; and the sister of former minister Suárez, Ana Isabel Suárez.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/62-odebrecht-bribery-suspects-named

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A lower court judge has ordered that the Odebrecht File be closed because it wasn’t compiled in due time. This case involves $60 million in payoffs and is a huge file which required international cooperation to put together.

No other countries involved in the scandal have placed time limits on their related investigations.

The Procadura, or Attorney General, Kenia Porcell publicly denounced the ruling yesterday.

This evening an unhappy President Varela is condemning recent court decisions which are impeding the administration’s ability to combat corruption.

 

Edited by Keith Woolford
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A lower court judge has ordered that the Odebrecht File be closed because it wasn’t compiled in due time. This case involves $60 million in payoffs and is a huge file which required international cooperation to put together.

I am stunned speechless. All Odebrecht criminals in Panama are now free to enjoy their spoils?

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Judge puts Odebrecht bribery cases  in danger

Posted on October 27, 2017 in Panama

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Public Ministry concerned over court ruling
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THERE ARE at least  13 effective collaboration and penalty agreements linked to investigations of bribes paid in Panama by the giant Brazilian construction company  Odebrecht, but six of them are in danger because a judge has refused more investigative time says Attorney General, Kenia Porcell.

Judge  Lania Batista denied a request for more time presented by the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office to complete the investigations linked to money transferred from banks in Panama and laundered in Switzerland.

The agreements that were in development are, “for now”, suspended, said Porcell. There are 63 people imputed in the investigation

The Attorney said that Odebrecht has already handed over  $10 million and, before the end of the year, will pay $11 million more to Panama, part payment of the fine of $220million, as part of the agreement that the construction company agreed with the Public Ministry on July 26.

Porcell said prosecutor Zuleyka Moore will appeal the ruling of substitute judge Batista. If the Second Court Superior backs  the judge, then, they will resort to a protection of guarantees before the Supreme Court

Next Sunday, Panama will host a meeting of the Swiss Attorney General with representatives of the Public Prosecutors of several countries of the region, who are carrying out investigations of Odebrecht bribes.

Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Guatemala and Argentina have already confirmed their attendance.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/six-odebrecht-bribery-cases-danger

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"We are making a fool of ourselves internationally" says Ana Matilde Gomez

From early yesterday morning, five deputies have have gone to the Office of the Attorney General of the Nation, to talk with the head of the institution, Kenya Porcell, on the investigation of the case Odebrecht in Panama, related to the payment of bribes on the part of the builder to Panamanian officials and citizens.

"The main reason we are here today, is that we (the members) want to understand the circumstances that the attorney general is experiencing, so that we can help from the point of view of the Legislative Body," said congressman Juan Carlos Arango, who attended the meeting with their colleagues, Ana Matilde Gómez, Independent member; Quibian Panay, the Democratic Revolutionary Party (PRD); Rony Araúz, Democratic Change; and José Antonio Domínguez, of the Panameñista Party.

The rapprochement between the Assembly members and the chief of the office of the Attorney General is given in the framework of the controversy that has arisen with the Public Ministry by the ruling of the alternate judge, Lania Batista, in denying an extension of two months to the special anticorruption Prosecutor to complete the investigation.

Suspicion on a case-by-case basis Odebrecht

The independent deputy and former Attorney General, Ana Matilde Gómez, emphasized before the meeting that Panama has not handled the case well. "Of course we are making a foo of ourselves internationallyl. The other countries have put all their institutions in coordination, in order to be able to combat corruption and discover the truth," said, clarifying that the case of Odebrecht is the largest that has impacted Latin America and their governments, so it is important tha Panama take action.

Gomez distinguished himself in the country something is preventing you really know the truth in the case of the Brazilian construction company, which according to the United States Department of Justice, 12 countries received 788 million dollars in bribes in exchange for contracts, from 2001 to 2016.

"Maybe I'll add to those who think that there is someone behind all this so that we do not know the truth, and there is a big responsibility because this is not the case that grabs three governments. It is not anything, we cannot be simply that 'the rule said this and what didn't, and it's over'. Here you are going to end the injustice, that it can't be," he said.

For her, the technicalities have been a major impediment to know the truth. "In Panama there is no culture of legality, sadly. It turns out that with the high-profile cases is when more to invoke the technicalities. I'm not saying that violates any law, but the work must be done," said the Honorable Member. He added that this is not the time to search for culprits, but to seek solutions, to save this stage and that in Panama, as has been the case in other countries, you discover the reality in cases of corruption.

The past 26 October, the judge Lania Batista, the 12th Circuit Criminal Court, suspended, due to problems with the internet signal, the hearing for approval of effective collaboration in case Odebrecht, in which it was intended that the exempleado of Brazilian construction Olivio Rodriguez, give his version of the facts. The same was rescheduled for 9 November at 10:00 in the morning.

http://laestrella.com.pa/panama/politica/estamos-haciendo-ridiculo-internacional-matilde-gomez/24030316

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“Hairy hand” blocking bribe probes

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Demonstration at Supreme Court

POLITICAL and civil society observers are united in their belief that there is a plot to prevent the truth coming out about the beneficiaries of the scores of millions paid in bribes paid by Odebrecht.

The alarm bells started with a statement from the Public Ministry (MP) that six penalty and collaboration agreements relating to the bribes are in jeopardy following a  ruling by substitute criminal judge Lania Batista, refusing more time to investigate.

The agreements would allow identifying those who received bribes or acted as intermediaries, and the banks and the firms that contributed to the cover-up.

Panameñista deputy José Antonio Domínguez summed up the concerns when he told La Prensa that  “there is a hairy hand trying to boycott” ” the agreements, and said it is significant that it is happening when Odebrecht still operates in the country.

Former Comptroller Carlos Vallarino said they want to “block” the agreements to cover up the front men who received the bribes and those who acted as intermediaries.

Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo  Tweeted:”Complex case, confessed company, confessed citizens, Public Ministry doing its job. What else does Panamanian justice need to act? ”

Former Comptroller Carlos Vallarino warned that there is an intention to “block” the agreements so that the front men who received the bribes and the final beneficiaries are not known.

Protest march
On Tuesday, October 31, at 4,30 pm a protest march will begin on Calle 50, to protest corruption and impunity. It will be supported by numerous civil organizations

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/hairy-hand-blocking-bribe-probes

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Business chamber: “No to impunity”

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Chamber of commerce

PANAMA’S Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture has added its voice to the growing outcry over impunity arising from a judge’s decision to effectively stall investigations into high profile figures suspected of accepting bribes from the Odebrecht construction company, Odebrecht has received billions of dollars in contracts from successive governments, including the present administration and Panama City.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Oct.29 the Chamber calls on the Public Prosecutor’s Office to look for the mechanisms, within the legal framework and respecting due process, so that “justice is done” in the Odebrecht case.

“No to impunity. We will not tolerate it, excuses are over” said the statement.

According to the organization, the Nation was left shocked again by Judicial organ failure in the Odebrecht case and the statements of Attorney General Kenia Porcell, which has generated “many doubts” about the management that has been given to investigations and processes of high profile suspects

“This accentuates the lack of credibility in our administrators of justice,” it said.

Pointing out that the country needs  that these processes be carried diligently by all the actors so that the investigations can continue their course
expeditiously and efficiently, as well as guarantee effective justice in reasonable times.

“On several occasions, we have expressed the need to build solid institutions, transparent and independent, to be able to advance as a nation. This seems more and more distant in our country “, says the Chamber.

It is imperative,  it added t that the authorities and society work in the reordering of the administration of justice system, through a Constitutional reform that allows the return to the rule of law, with a Judicial OrganJthat constitutes a true counterweight and that together with the Public Ministry acts within the legal framework to get to the bottom of any wrongful acts committed, without selectivity, and administer justice for all, in an impartial and efficient manner.

Judges suitability

“In this journey towards the reconstitution of the rule of law, the suitability of those who occupy the new positions of magistrates of the Supreme Court is of great importance not only from the point of view of training and trajectory but selecting for these positions, men and women of proven ethical and moral values.

“We demand the Executive and the National Assembly exercise their Constitutional role to guarantee the above, “it added.

This weekend, political and civil society sectors said that there is an intention to prevent the truth coming out about the beneficiaries of bribes paid by Odebrecht.

The warning arose from the Public Ministry’s announcement that 6 of the 13 agreements managed by the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office are in danger, after the ruling last Wednesday of Criminal Substitute Judge, Lania Batista, who interrupted the investigation and ordered the prosecutor to submit his files, without allowing time to complete the investigation.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/business-chamber-no-impunity

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Union joins  impunity outcry

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ANGER  after a substitute denied a request from the Public Ministry to extend the investigation term in the Odebrecht bribery is spreading, with denunciations spreading from civil activists to the Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations.

On  Monday, Oct  30, the labor movement joined the outcry as demonstrators from the National Union of Construction and Similar Industry Workers (SUNTRACS)  protested outside the Supreme Court and then moved to the National Assembly. Before leaving the Court they left a message on the wall denouncing “corrupt judges” and calling on them to resign.

On Tuesday there will be a protest match involving numerous groups, denouncing corruption, the judicial system and impunity.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/union-joins-impunity-outcry

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Chiriqui protests judicial  impunity rulings

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David citizen protest

REPRESENTATIVES of, business associations civil along with concerned citizens marched on Sunday, October 29  in David Chiriqui,  to demonstrate their repudiation of the judicial management that has been given to investigations related to Odebrecht  bribery of senior officials and politicians, and the climate of impunity.

A similar march is planned for Panama City, on Tuesday, October 31. It is scheduled to start on Calle 50 at 4.30. p.m.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/chiriqui-protests-judicial-impunity-decisions

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Panama hosts Odebrecht bribes prosecutors from 10 countries  

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PROSECUTORS  from Switzerland, Portugal and eight  Latin American, countries are meeting in Panama to exchange information on judicial assistance in investigations related to bribes paid by Odebrecht.

Described as the  “International Meeting on the Fight against Corruption and money laundering”, it is taking place behind closed doors at the Westin Playa Bonita Hotel

The participating  Latin American prosecutors are from  Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, El Salvador, Colombia, Guatemala, and Mexico, and Panama  who will hold bilateral meetings with Michel Lauber the Attorney General of Switzerland, related to assistance in investigations into the bribery scandal surrounding the Brazilian construction giant, and politicians, officials and businessmen.

Odebrecht executives confessed before the Department of Justice of the United States in December 2016 that the company paid bribes of $788 million in 12 countries, including 8 in Latin America, to get at least 100 public projects.

The Swiss public prosecutor will talk about international cooperation in money laundering and corruption cases.

A plenary session in to discuss Odebrecht research will be followed by bilateral meetings between  regional prosecutors and the

Swiss prosecutor to deal with the judicial assistance agreed with that country in the  Odebrecht investigations.

In Panama, after a judicial assistance from Switzerland, the Public Ministry opened an investigation paid by Odebrecht to Panamanians through banks in Switzerland.

In the process, bribes were investigated that Luis Enrique and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares, sons of former president Ricardo Martinelli, would have received.

Switzerland keeps frozen, at least, $22 million in accounts of the Martinelli sons.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/panama-hosts-odebrecht-bribes-prosecutors-10-countries

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Panama protests  corruption, impunity

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PANAMANIANS  from all walks of life gathered in their hundreds on Tuesday October 31. to protest corruption and impunity linked to the Odebrecht bribery scandal.

They met at the site of the old Danté Mansion   on Calle 50 where citizens of another era would meet to demonstrate against the Noriega dictatorship.

The crowd, many waving  Panama flags, included civil society groups, business associations and educators.

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“We want the truth, no more impunity!”, “Return the money”  “End the games”  “,” We want the list! “, were some of the shouts from demonstrators wearing white another symbol of anti-dictatorship protests.

“We want to know who are the people who participated in these acts,” said Annette  Planells, of Movin.

“We must demand that the denunciation be public, that the list be mad epublic,” she added.

Guilds such as the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama and the Association Panamanian Business Executives (Apede) participated in the protest.

Last week, the Twelfth Criminal Court denied the two-month extension requested by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor of the Odebrecht case, in the related investigation by the payment of bribes through Swiss banks,  involving high profile figures like the two sons of former president Ricardo Martinelli.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/panama-protests-corruption-impunity

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Public Ministry appeals Odebrecht probe ruling

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AS PROTESTS mount against impunity in the Odebrecht bribery case, The Public Ministry (MP)  has announced an appeal against the decision of a judge who effectively blocked an investigation by anti-corruption prosecutors.

Twelfth substitute criminal judge Lania Batista, denied an extension to the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor’s Office to continue with the investigation of the bribes paid by Odebrecht to government officials and individuals and ordered prosecutors to forward the uncompleted file to the  Court.

Following the ruling of the substitute judge members of organized civil society, unions and citizens have called for demonstrations to demand that the investigation is continued. They have taken place at the Supreme Court. The National Assembly and in the streets of Panama City  and David, Chiriqui.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/public-ministry-appeals-odebrecht-probe-ruling

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NO to Impunity in Panama

The union of Panamanian businessmen indicates that a great deal of uncertainty has been caused due to the handling of high-profile investigations and judicial processes such as that of Odebrecht.

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

From a statement issued by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP):

Last week our nation was shocked again by another Judicial Body ruling and statements by the Attorney General of the Nation related to the Odebrecht case, which once again created a lot of uncertainty about the handling of high profile investigations and processes. This accentuates the lack of credibility in our justice administrators.  In that sense, the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (CCIAP) wants to make clear its position: "NO TO IMPUNITY. WE ARE NOT GOING TO TOLERATE IT."

This message of "no to impunity" is addressed to both the Judicial Branch and the Public Ministry. Both institutions must seek mechanisms so that justice be done within the legal framework and with respect to due process. The excuses have run out. 

The country needs these processes to be carried out diligently by all of the actors, so that the investigations can continue their course in an expeditious and efficient manner, as well as guarantee effective justice in reasonable timeframes.

Read full release (in Spanish).

 

https://www.centralamericadata.com/en/article/main/NO_to_Impunity_in_Panama

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Varela mulls  over new judges as protests grow

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On the steps of the Court

President  Juan Carlos Varela has begun consultations for the appointment of two new judges of the Supreme Court he told local media, after the ceremonies that started the Panama Independence Day celebrations on Friday, November 3.

Judges Jerónimo Mejía and Oydén Ortega will complete their constitutional term in the Court on December 31. Both were appointed in 2007 by the then president of Martin Torrijos for a period of 10 years that ends the last day of the current year.

Varela said:  “The consultations have already begun and people who have knowledge of the issues to be discussed in the Chambers where the appointments will be made are being heard,”.

“I will assume the Constitutional responsibility and appoint the magistrates of the Court to strengthen the Judicial Systems  so that the Panamanian people can have the guarantees that justice will be done,” he said,

His appointments will be closely scrutinized as they come at a time when belief in Panama’s judicial system is at a low ebb, and Varela has eschewed input into the selection by civil society.

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Protests have grown against corruption and what is seen as the Court’s  leaning to impunity for high profile defendants.

The last two judges he chose raised concerns as they immediately backed the re-election of controversial Judge Ayu Prado, as president of the Court.

Varela will call the deputies to extraordinary sessions for the month of December, because the ordinary sessions ended on October 31. After National Holidays, the Cabinet Council will address the issues that are expected to be addressed in the extraordinary sessions and the date on which the deputies will be called for the ratification of the new judges.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/varela-mulls-new-judges-protests-grow

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Odebrecht Court decisions in task force spotlight

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Rolando de Leon

THE DECISIONS of Panama’s Supreme Court  in the Odebrecht bribery scandal  could affect  how the country is viewed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which evaluates Panama in all its context, warns National Bank of Panama advisor Rolando de León,

He said that the Court ‘ s decisions in the Odebrecht case will have an impact on the country.

“If we let a case like Odebrecht fail due to legal issues, it will have an impact. We will not be able to show the FATF that we have all the elements coordinated to attack This kind of situation … ” he told La Prensa.

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La Prensa cartoonist’s take on Justice and impunity

The Court denied the Public Prosecutor’s Office an extension  of time  in  the Odebrecht investigation , which involves  characters like Luis Enrique and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares -sons of the former president Ricardo Martinelli-, indicted  for supposedly having received bribes from the Brazilian construction company through Swiss banks which have frozen their accounts , containing $22 million. Prosecutors have seized a luxury apartment in the heart of Madrid, and a helicopter belonging to the Martinelli sons. They have fled the country. Their father is in a Miami detention center where he has been since his arrest in June while fighting extradition to face trial in Panama.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/odebrecht-court-decisions-task-force-spotlight

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Appeal against ruling stalling Odebrecht probe 

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AN APPEAL against a court decision that prompted protests by civil and business groups and trade unions was lodged with Panama’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, November 7 by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office of the Odebrecht bribery case.

THE  Twelfth Criminal Court that refused to allow extra time term to complete the inquiries involving 63 suspects including the two sons of former president Ricardo Martinelli members of his administration, and business associates.

The appeal was filed in the Second Superior Court shortly before noon by prosecutor Zuleika Moore.

The defense of each of the 63 accused will have the opportunity to oppose the appeal

Until the Court resolves it, the prosecution will have to abide by the lower court ruling, which stalls the investigation.

 

http://www.newsroompanama.com/news/panama/appeal-ruling-stalling-odebrecht-probe

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