Guatemala: Ricardo Martinelli Linares presents amparo, to be allowed to prove his membership in Parlacen
The attorneys for Ricardo Alberto “Rica” Martinelli Linares, who was detained in Guatemala since July 6, complied with the three-day deadline granted by the Third Court of Criminal Sentence and presented in writing the amparo alleging the violation of the rights of the son of the former Panamanian president.
Rony Ríos, a journalist for the newspaper El Periódico, indicated that with the protection, the defense intends to grant them time to request the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) the stationery stating that Ricardo Alberto and his brother Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares – also detained – are alternate deputies of that regional body, whose main headquarters are in Guatemala.
A week ago, the sons of former President Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal (2009-2014) were captured at La Aurora International Airport, when they were preparing to board a private plane bound for Panama. Guatemala does not know when and how they entered the country, but authorities have said that there had been a follow-up and surveillance operation since June 30.
The arrest came at the request of the United States, where they are required for allegedly conspiring to launder money from Odebrecht, according to an accusation brought by the FBI in the Eastern District Court of New York.
Last Friday, in a hearing at the Third Criminal Sentence Court, Denis Cuesy, Rica Martinelli's lawyer, had announced that he would file an amparo against the arrest of his client, "Deputy Ricardo Martinelli." He insisted that his client is not allowed to show his quality of public official.
Until that amparo is resolved, the extradition process to the United States is currently on hold.
The Parlacen has not officially ruled on the arrest, but the vice president of that body, Gilberto Sucari, reported that there is no record that the Martinelli Linares brothers have been sworn in as alternate deputies.
As for Luis Enrique's situation, he is awaiting his first extradition hearing. Unlike his brother, his is settled before the Fifth Criminal Court. It has not been scheduled yet. The Guatemalan Judicial Branch ordered the temporary closure of the courts until July 23, due to the large number of coronavirus cases in its facilities.
Last Sunday night, an inmate who was in the Mariscal Zavala military prison, where the former president's children are, died. An autopsy was ordered to pinpoint Covid-19 as the cause of his death.
A week ago, the sons of former President Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal (2009-2014) were captured at La Aurora International Airport, when they were preparing to board a private plane bound for Panama. Guatemala does not know when and how they entered the country, but authorities have said that there had been a follow-up and surveillance operation since June 30.
The arrest came at the request of the United States, where they are required for allegedly conspiring to launder money from Odebrecht, according to an accusation brought by the FBI in the Eastern District Court of New York.
Last Friday, in a hearing at the Third Criminal Sentence Court, Denis Cuesy, Rica Martinelli's lawyer, had announced that he would file an amparo against the arrest of his client, "Deputy Ricardo Martinelli." He insisted that his client is not allowed to show his quality of public official.
Until that amparo is resolved, the extradition process to the United States is currently on hold.
The Parlacen has not officially ruled on the arrest, but the vice president of that body, Gilberto Sucari, reported that there is no record that the Martinelli Linares brothers have been sworn in as alternate deputies.
As for Luis Enrique's situation, he is awaiting his first extradition hearing. Unlike his brother, his is settled before the Fifth Criminal Court. It has not been scheduled yet. The Guatemalan Judicial Branch ordered the temporary closure of the courts until July 23, due to the large number of coronavirus cases in its facilities.
Last Sunday night, an inmate who was in the Mariscal Zavala military prison, where the former president's children are, died. An autopsy was ordered to pinpoint Covid-19 as the cause of his death.