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US Magistrate Judge Edwin Torres today heard final arguments in the extradition case against former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli. Due to a defense request to translate an affidavit from Spanish, the Court will be rendering its decision on August 31st.
Martinelli's counsel has interposed a number of procedural and substantive defenses to his extradition, on embezzlement and illegal surveillance (video and audio) charges:
(1) The Government of Panama has no evidence of embezzlement.
(2) The Extradition Treaty between the parties is inadequate regarding the illegal surveillance charge, as that crime was not an extraditable offense when it was allegedly committed. The treaty cannot be applied retroactively.
Chronicles of Monte Friesner - Financial Crime Analyst
Contributed by Kenneth Rijock - Financial Crime Consultant
