Martinelli's Defense Presents New Evidence in Odebrecht Case

The defense of former President Ricardo Martinelli presented numerous extraordinary evidences yesterday, which it hopes will be assessed by Judge Baloisa Marquínez in the Odebrecht case. Among the documents presented is a certification from January 15, 2026, from the Court of Accounts, stating that Odebrecht has not been processed or financially charged by this tribunal. This means that in 2022, the witness's testimony was not considered relevant by the prosecutor, but now it is, to the point that it was included as evidence. The defense also added documents from the Office for the Enforcement of Mutual Legal Assistance and International Cooperation Treaties, certifying that as of January 31, 2025, to date, it has not received any requests from the First Liquidator Court of Penal Cases, channeled through the International Legal Affairs Office, regarding the Odebrecht case. Additionally, a 2022 prosecutor's view was presented in which Ruth Morcillo requested the dismissal of the case investigating the possible crime against the Public Administration following allegations linked to Odebrecht's bribery payments. The defense also provided certifications from the Electoral Tribunal endorsing that the institution did not advance processes for private contributions and donations to the 2004 and 2009 presidential campaigns in which Martinelli competed. Likewise, the defense submitted a legal opinion from the National College of Lawyers, sent to Alejandro Pérez, in which the NCA clarifies that when examining a process, due process must be observed with absolute rigor and the constitutional and procedural guarantees of the persons being tried must be safeguarded. Curiously, now in 2026, Morcillo intends to use a protected witness from that case. Considerations from Brazil and warnings from Justice José Antonio Dias Toffoli were also submitted, who had previously alerted to the abuse of judicial power by the judge in the Lava Jato case. Lawyer Carlos Carrillo began the presentation of extraordinary evidences with documentation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stating that there were never any arrangements or authorizations for the lifting of the principle of specialty for former President Martinelli.