U.S. Extradites Panama Ex-President Martinelli.

U.S. Extradites Panama Ex-President Martinelli.

Martinelli appeared handcuffed in photos shared by Panama’s security ministry and was transported to Renacer prison, where former strongman Manuel Noriega, who died last year, had been held.
Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli returned home on Monday to face political espionage and embezzlement charges after being extradited from the United States.
The Foreign Ministry said U.S. officials turned Mr. Martinelli over at Panama City international airport after a plane carrying him from Miami landed.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement that it is up to Panamanian courts to determine Mr. Martinelli’s guilt. He had been jailed in Miami since his arrest at his home in June 2017.
The 66-year-old Martinelli, who was Panama’s president from 2009 to 2014, is accused of embezzlement and illegally monitoring phone calls and other communications. He has denied the charges.
Ms. Nauert said Mr. Martinelli’s exradition followed normal procedures established by the countries’ bilateral extradition treaty. Mr. Martinelli had initially contested his extradition in the U.S., but dropped his appeals.
“He is returning because of a health problem,” she said. “His lawyers are almost certain that he can get bond.”
Mr. Martinelli appeared handcuffed in photos shared by Panama’s security ministry and was transported to Renacer prison,where former strongman Manuel Noriega, who died last year, had been held.
During a hearing with an investigating judge later Monday, the former president said he had heart problems, prostate cancer and glaucoma. Judge Jeronimo Mejia ordered that medical experts examine Mr. Martinelli to determine the severity of his conditions.
Courtesy: The Hindhu