https://www.laestrella.com.pa/nacional/200625/defensa-varela-sufre-reves-audiencia

The defenders of former President Juan Carlos Varela and former Housing Minister Carlos Dubois suffered a setback at the legality control hearing requested by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office as part of an investigation that is being carried out for the alleged commission of the crime against economic order in the modality of money laundering and against collective security (illegal association to commit a crime), among others.

In the reserved hearing, at the request of the Public Ministry and with the consent of the private defense, judge Irene Cedeño legalized a number of tests provided by banks within the investigations, considering that due process was complied with without affecting or restricting rights fundamental.

Marta Sanchéz, deputy prosecutor, explained that the defense opposed the request to validate the bank information, however, the guarantee judge considered that the rights of none of the accused in the case had not been violated.

The Public Ministry participated in this hearing, which was represented by the Prosecutor Marta Estela Sánchez; The Particular Technical Defense was exercised by Graduates Erasmo Muñoz and Cosme Moreno, and Graduate Denise Ruíz, acted as Public Defender.

Defense of Varela goes to hearing today in Odebrecht case

Today, the defense of former President Juan Carlos Varela must attend a hearing on evidence control requested by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, in an investigation that is being carried out for money laundering, organized crime, unjustified enrichment and an illicit association to commit crimes in the Odebrecht case.

Updated 06/25/2020 00:00

Today, the defense of former President Juan Carlos Varela must attend a hearing on evidence control requested by the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office, in an investigation that is being carried out for money laundering, organized crime, unjustified enrichment and an illicit association to commit crimes in the Odebrecht case. .

The appointment will be at the offices of Plaza Ágora, at the headquarters of the Accusatory Penal System (SPA), at 2:30 in the afternoon. The hearing that seeks to legitimize the evidence collected within the file does not require the presence of the former president.

The stagecoach was scheduled for June 12, 2020, but had to be rescheduled for Thursday.

Sources of the Public Ministry explained that it is sought that a judge of guarantees can validate information that has been compiled to include it in a main file, which investigates this same case, considering that there cannot be two processes on the same topic.

The complaint was filed a year ago by lawyers Miguel Antonio Bernal and Sidney Sittón and relates the former president to the receipt of funds from the construction company Odebrecht.

According to statements by defendants, the construction company made contributions of $ 6.7 million to the Panamanian political group, which nominated Varela as vice president and president of the country.