Panama seeks arrest of 2 sons of ex-president in graft case


News from Panama / Tuesday, February 14th, 2017

martinelli bars

Prosecutors in Panama are seeking international help in detaining two sons of former President Ricardo Martinelli in relation to an alleged scheme to launder bribes from Brazilian construction giant Odebrecht.

The Associated Press obtained on Monday a copy of a request filed by anti-corruption prosecutor Tania Sterling asking for an Interpol red alert against Ricardo Alberto and Luis Enrique Martinelli.

Prosecutors claim the sons helped deposit part of $22 million that Odebrecht allegedly paid in bribes to win contracts in Panama. Odebrecht has acknowledged paying $800 million in bribes across Latin America.

Martinelli governed in 2009-2014 and lives in Miami. He has been under investigation in Panama for corruption. The ex-president wrote in his Twitter account Sunday that a “show” would be mounted against his sons to “distract attention.”