Panama judge requests Interpol Red Notice for former president
From Caribbean News Now
PANAMA CITY, Panama — The investigating judge in Panama handling some of the dozen criminal cases pending against fugitive ex-president, Ricardo Martinelli, has reportedly asked the foreign ministry to request that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) issue a ‘Red Notice’ against him.
According to the US Attorney’s website, an Interpol Red Notice is the closest thing to an international arrest warrant in use today. Interpol circulates notices to member countries listing persons who are wanted for extradition. The names of persons listed in the notices are placed on lookout lists (the National Crime Information Center in the case of the United States).
When a person whose name is listed comes to the attention of the police abroad, the country that sought the listing is notified through Interpol and can request either his provisional arrest (if there is urgency) or can file a formal request for extradition.
Interpol said its role is to assist national police forces in identifying and locating such persons with a view to their arrest and extradition or similar lawful action.
According to financial compliance blogger, Kenneth Rijock, while is it believed that Martinelli has been barred from entering Paraguay, where he set up a villa for his exile from Panama, it is feared that he may seek to establish himself in another country, from which he cannot be extradited.
Some of the victims of Martinelli’s crimes, especially the illegal surveillance he set up in Panama to spy on his opponents, have complained bitterly about the extensive delays in extraditing him for prosecution, and have openly questioned the current Varela government about whether Martinelli will ever see the inside of a Panama City courtroom to answer for his crimes.
Martinelli is thought to be currently living in Miami, Florida.
IMAGE: Former president, Ricardo Martinelli
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