Odebrecht Trial in Panama May Be Postponed

Attorney Carlos Carrillo does not believe that the Odebrecht trial will conclude on Friday, February 13, as scheduled by the Tribunal. Carrillo explained that for the trial to end on Friday, the defense must conclude the presentation of evidence this Tuesday, and the Prosecutor's Office would have to begin its arguments on Wednesday, so that its 20 hours are completed on Friday. He also did not rule out that the former president could intervene in his defense during the final phase of the trial. The Odebrecht case trial may not conclude next Friday, February 13, as planned by the Tribunal, due to time constraints, according to attorney Carlos Carrillo, a member of former President Ricardo Martinelli's defense team. The attorney expressed his conviction that Martinelli will be declared innocent and reiterated that they will continue to point out irregularities in the process, such as the lack of the right to contradiction and the disregard for his guarantees as a former president and as a member of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen). Carrillo added that the Prosecutor's Office has not dared to say that Martinelli received funds, but that the investigation focuses on donations made in 2009 and 2010, before he was president of the Republic and when he was not a public official. Regarding his client, Carrillo indicated that the center of the debate revolves around the political donations received during the 2009 electoral campaign. He stated that it has become clear to the lawyers that he is excluded from any type of crime, including the charge for money laundering. "We see it as a bit complicated, but we will contribute what we can, that's for sure, without giving up the rights the law gives us," the lawyer expressed. However, he warned that 20 hours of arguments from the defense leaves very little time for the session's work.