Panama City/Prensa Latina
The plenary session of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) of Panama today rejected the challenge against its head, María Eugenia López, presented by the defense of former president Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014).
According to the statement, this appeal, which was promoted by the representation of the former ruler, sentenced to more than 10 years in prison in the New Business case and granted asylum in the Nicaraguan embassy, sought to separate López from the unconstitutionality claim.
Martinelli presented a challenge against Judge López, alleging that they maintain a manifest enmity, which has been evidenced in a large number of public questions.
The appeal also maintains that Martinelli has filed complaints against the judge before the credentials commission of the National Assembly (single-chamber parliament), dating back to 2021.
At the same time, he suggests that in these situations it is prudent for the judge to separate herself from the unconstitutionality claim filed by Martinelli against the mixed ruling No 02 of July 17, 2023.
Martinelli’s unconstitutionality claim alleges that the second liquidating judge of criminal cases, Baloisa Marquínez, prosecuted and convicted him when he still enjoyed the protection of the principle of specialty.
On August 22, Judge López was assigned to present the unconstitutionality lawsuit filed by Martinelli.
Once the challenge has been resolved, the lawyer can now begin the preparation of a project on whether or not to admit the claim presented by Martinelli and then submit it to the consideration of the rest of the magistrates that make up the Plenary Session of the CSJ.
The New Business case began in 2017 and is related to the purchase with alleged public funds of Editorial Panamá América SA (Epasa) for $43.91 million in December 2010 when Martinelli was president.
For several analysts, what is at stake, as before, is whether rampant impunity in high-profile crimes continues or the so-called certainty of punishment and even the credibility of the Panamanian judicial system itself prevails, with the understanding that Martinelli has faced other criminal proceedings and has emerged unscathed.
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