The nominal president of Cambio Democrático (CD) and the former President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli, said yesterday that the former Minister Alma Cortés "is a politically pursued victim", and that her controversial detention arose in response to the fact that she is the Coordinator of his legal defense team.
Speaking via "Skype", in the middle of a conference convened by CD to support Cortés, Martinelli lashed out against the policy of persecution that prevails in President Juan Carlos Varela´s administration.
"(I am now giving) my support to Alma Cortés, to all her family, and to all those who suffer persecution" by this Government, said the former President.
The investigation that is practiced against Alma Cortés will continue tomorrow.
I insist in making it clear that "Alma is a politically persecuted victim" and that her current detention is not due to the alleged commission of any crime, but for leading a team of lawyers "and for being the President [in charge] of Cambio Democrático ".
The opposition leader is held in the headquarters of the National Police in Ancon, from the night of last Thursday, waiting for an investigation led by the sixth anti-corruption Prosecutor, Aurelio Vásquez, to resume.
This case is based on a report of audit by the Comptroller´s Office, in which it is stated that the former government official could not justify an increase of 2.5 million dollars in her personal wealth.
However, Martinelli said yesterday that it all is just a "hoax", driven by political interests.
He said that the representatives of the Government aim to "put Alma out of the way" and "silence CD".
Issuing a strong call
The former President, Ricardo Martinelli, issued a strong call of attention to President Varela to "correct the course the country is going through".
HE also warned that "motivated by political revenge", Varela is "destroying the country, and affecting the quality of life of all the Panamanians".
The historical leader of Cambio Democrático also issued an urgent call to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) to intervene and rule on the persecution against the professionals of laws in Panama, such as Alma Cortés, among others.
The appeal was filed at the regional body, in November of last year.
Family members
The press conference held yesterday at the headquarters of the opposition CD was also attended by relatives of Alma Cortés.
Her sister, Lourdes, also a member of the Central American Parliament, recalled that the former Minister had accumulating more than 25 years as a trial attorney before serving in the public sector.
She regretted that some media "have lent themselves to denigrate an honest and hard-working woman".
In addition, she revealed that Cortés´ family is working with contacts of the Archbishop of Panama, José Domingo Ulloa, and evangelical pastor Edwin Álvarez, so they recommend this Government to correct the course, and be tolerant of criticism against him.
