The former president of Panama wants his detained children to go to the US and prove their innocence
The Martinelli Linares brothers were arrested when they tried to travel to Panama in a private plane.
Photo: JOHAN ORDONEZ / AFP / Getty Images
“I would like my children to go to the United States as quickly as possible because they have to prove their innocence ”, declared the former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli about Luis Enrique and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares , arrested in Guatemala on 6 July 2020 and that the United States requests extradition for the case Odebrecht .
The ex-president also faces a trial for political espionage during his tenure, of 2009 to 2014. It is the second, since in the first was declared “not guilty” . He could face eight years in prison if his responsibility is proven in the interception of the telecommunications of some 150 persons.
Political persecution that I have suffered, for a case where I was never charged , it should never be experienced by another Panamanian. I hope and trust that the Magistrates of the Supreme Court reject the pressures that will surely receive from MEL who has done serious damage to justice https://t.co/IEJfZGsQ9d
He is also charged with the crime of money laundering in a case related to the purchase of a media conglomerate.
The Martinelli Linares brothers were arrested while trying to travel to Panama e n private plane. The indictment indicates that the New York District Attorney’s Office imputes a crime of conspiracy to commit money laundering and two crimes of concealment of information for that purpose, enter 2009 and 2015.
In Panama they are charged with money laundering , and although The country requested them in extradition, Guatemala responded that there is no agreement on the matter between the Central American nations.
The Guatemalan Foreign Ministry has already sent the United States embassy the documents to formalize the extradition of one of the brothers, Luis Enrique; It is up to the United States government to dictate the delivery times of the detainee.
Regarding Ricardo Alberto, it has not yet been determined if it is granted or not extradition, due to the resources presented by his defense.
