(CNN Spanish) - Former Panamanian presidents Juan Carlos Varela and Ricardo Martinelli went to the Public Ministry on Thursday to attend subpoenas in a case of alleged money laundering, a cause that the legal teams of the former leaders reported to CNN.
Upon arrival, Martinelli said he was a victim of political persecution, and that - in his case - the specialty principle was violated. This is the condition with which the United States government extradited him to Panama in 2018, that he could only be prosecuted on charges of wiretapping.
On this occasion, Martinelli, who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014, is accused of alleged money laundering with which he would have bought a media outlet, accusations that the former president rejects.
For his part, Juan Carlos Varela, who has not been charged so far, is being investigated in a case other than Martinelli's, for alleged money laundering related to the Odebrecht company.
- MORE: Former President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela is called to an audience for alleged money laundering and other crimes
Upon arriving at the Prosecutor's Office building, former President Varela told the media that he went to comply with the summons from the Public Ministry and answer any questions they had.
Former President Juan Carlos Varela. Credit: MAURICIO VALENZUELA / AFP via Getty Images)
About the mention in this investigation, the company Odebrecht has told CNN through its press office, that for now it would not comment. For its part, the Prosecutor's Office has not responded to CNN's requests for a response.
Upon leaving the prosecution, former President Ricardo Martinelli assured that an impediment to leaving the country was formulated and that he must sign on the 15th of each month before the Prosecutor's Office to verify that he remains in Panama.
His lawyer Roniel Ortiz reported that the exmandatario accepted the right not to testify.
Juan Carlos VarelaRicardo Martinelli
