The attorney general in charge, Javier Caraballo, affirmed this Thursday that so far he has “little information” about the plea agreement in which Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares admits to having participated in a scheme to launder the bribes of the construction company Odebrecht, through the American financial system.
“It is something that has just been given. I would not like to anticipate situations that we do not have at hand. At the time, the prosecutors handling the case in Panama could request legal assistance, “he said.
He declared that the Public Ministry does not announce its actions, after it executes them, it makes them known, ensuring that prosecutors will always make the best decision.
On December 2, Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares pleaded guilty to having participated, with his brother Ricardo Alberto, in a scheme to launder the bribes paid by Odebrecht through US banks.
As part of the agreement, Martinelli Linares will return $ 18.9 million in assets and accounts, the majority of which is deposited in Switzerland.
The reading of the sentence will be on May 20, 2022; meanwhile, Martinelli Linares, 39, will remain in the Brooklyn detention center, where he has been since November 15, when he was extradited from Guatemala.