Prosecutor to ask Panama’s Supreme Court to order former president’s arrest in spying scandal

Former Panamanian president, Ricardo Martinelli is accused of ordering the illegal wiretapping of nearly 200 people, including his political opponents. (Wikimedia Commons)

PANAMA CITY, December 11th, 2015 (EFE) The Panamanian special prosecutor investigating ex-President Ricardo Martinelli for orchestrating an alleged illegal spying ring said he would ask the Supreme Court on Friday to order his arrest.

“I’m going to file that request this afternoon before the full court,” Magistrate Harry Diaz said.

Martinelli, a current member of the Central American Parliament who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014, was declared in “contempt of court” Friday after failing to appear for a hearing in which he was to have been formally charged with ordering the illegal wiretapping of nearly 200 people, including political opponents.

Diaz told Panamanian television that he also would ask the high-court justices to determine which institution should carry out the arrest order if it is issued.

The special prosecutor has accused Martinelli of crimes, including violation of privacy rights and misuse of public funds, that are punishable by up to 21 years in prison.

Martinelli, a billionaire supermarket magnate who is the subject of several corruption probes in his homeland, left Panama in January and is currently living in the United States.

He says he is being politically persecuted by Panamanian President Juan Carlos Varela, his former ally and vice president.