Pozzessere refused bribes to the former government

The former CommerciaL director of FinmeCcanica Paolo Pozzessere, indicted for alleged bribes to Panamanian company officials denied any economic interest or involvement of former President Ricardo Martinelli.

The Italian judiciary is investigating whether the company specialized in the field of defense and security, could try to bribe senior government officials Martinelli in exchange for future tenders.

Pozzessere denied any financial interest from Martinelli  in the business of Finmeccanica in Panama.

His lawyer, Carlo Marchiolo, asked if he never suspected that behind Lavitola was Martinelli, and he rejected.

"I always wonder why Martinelli should have any economic interest, being one of the richest entrepreneurs across Central America?", he asked.

During questioning, Pozzessere called Martinelli as "a kind of Berlusconi Central" and said that in Panama, "would never have had that impression".

"In other countries, yes, but in Panama, no. I would add that Martinelli had very important relations in Central America. And in fact, my project was to conquer a bit Lavitola that area because the whole area, to Mexico, had security problems" , he pointed.

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Italia

• Fiscalía

• En la audiencia, Pozzessere solo respondió a las preguntas de su abogado y de la defensa de Lavitola, ya que la fiscalía optó por no someterlo a interrogatorio.

• Reanudación

• La próxima vista será el 21 de abril, cuando se escuchará a los testigos llamados por los abogados de Pozzessere: un total de cinco, de los cuales tres residen en el extranjero.