Former Panama President Martinelli faces political spying charges
Former Panama President Martinelli faces political spying charges
Former President Ricardo Martinelli is facing charges of running an illegal political espionage ring. The indictment is seeking up to 21 years in jail for the former leader.
Special Panamanian prosecutor Harry Diaz is planning to charge Martinelli with running the spy ring during his administration using public funds. Prosecutors say Martinelli used taxpayer money and government employees to listen to calls, read messages and have activists, politicians, union members, lawyers, doctors and other civil groups followed.
The 63-year-old was president of Panama from 2009 until 2014. He has not been seen in the Central American country since he left for an event in Guatemala last January. Martinelli, a supermarket tycoon, is believed to be in Miami, Florida.
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Martinelli's former press secretary, Luis Eduardo Camacho, who organized the protest said Diaz was subjecting Panama to "international ridicule." He said that Martinelli was not hiding and that it was no secret he was in Miami.
http://www.dw.com/en/former-panama-president-martinelli-faces-political-spying-charges/a-18784132
