Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PANAMA951
2006-05-18 21:26:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Panama
Cable title:
PANAMANIAN JUDGE ORDERS DETENTION OF FORMER
how-toVZCZCXYZ0010 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHZP #0951 1382126 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 182126Z MAY 06 FM AMEMBASSY PANAMA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8086 INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC RUEAWJA/DOJ WASHDC RHEFHLC/DEPT OF HOMELAND SECURITY WASHINGTON DC RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL//J5/J2/POLAD//
UNCLAS PANAMA 000951
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND INL/LP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SNAR PM NU
SUBJECT: PANAMANIAN JUDGE ORDERS DETENTION OF FORMER
NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT ALEMAN AND CRONIES
REF: A. PANAMA 610
B. 05 PANAMA 2292
UNCLAS PANAMA 000951
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND INL/LP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SNAR PM NU
SUBJECT: PANAMANIAN JUDGE ORDERS DETENTION OF FORMER
NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT ALEMAN AND CRONIES
REF: A. PANAMA 610
B. 05 PANAMA 2292
1. (SBU) As first reported by Panamanian television early
May 18, Panamanian Judge Adolfo Mejia has ruled that the
money laundering case against former Nicaraguan President
Arnoldo Aleman and cronies (reftels) will go forward. Ruling
on the evidence presented during a March 30 hearing, Mejia
ordered Aleman and co-accused to be detained pending trial.
This is a stunning blow to Aleman, and is the result of years
of work by Panamanian and U.S. investigators and Panamanian
prosecutors.
2. (SBU) Upon receipt of the initial press reports, Embassy
officers contacted Panamanian anti-corruption prosecutor
Mercedes de Leon for a reaction to Judge Mejia's ruling. De
Leon was clearly pleased by the news, but cautioned that she
had not yet received her copy of the written ruling. Among
the issues to be clarified is whether charges against any of
the co-accused had been dismissed (Note: press reports
indicated that Ethel and Valeria Jerez may have been
exonerated.) De Leon promised to share copies of any
relevant documents, including the judge's ruling, with USG
officials. She also signaled her intent to appeal decisions
to dismiss charges against any of the accused.
3. (SBU) Post will continue to monitor this case closely,
including the possibility of appeals. At our urging,
prosecutors will request that the judge expeditiously issue
arrest warrants, which can then result in the issuance of
INTERPOL red notices. It is not yet clear when the judge
will schedule the beginning of the trial.
4. (SBU) Comment: Panama's Public Ministry, including the
investigators and prosecutors who have worked on this case
over the past several years, deserve kudos for their
dedication to seeing Aleman brought to justice. Attorney
General Ana Matilde Gomez has been resolute in her personal
commitment to this case. We believe that the consistent
strong message of USG interest in this case, expressed both
here and in Washington, helped counter efforts by the defense
to tamper with the proceedings.
EATON
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN AND INL/LP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV SNAR PM NU
SUBJECT: PANAMANIAN JUDGE ORDERS DETENTION OF FORMER
NICARAGUAN PRESIDENT ALEMAN AND CRONIES
REF: A. PANAMA 610
B. 05 PANAMA 2292
1. (SBU) As first reported by Panamanian television early
May 18, Panamanian Judge Adolfo Mejia has ruled that the
money laundering case against former Nicaraguan President
Arnoldo Aleman and cronies (reftels) will go forward. Ruling
on the evidence presented during a March 30 hearing, Mejia
ordered Aleman and co-accused to be detained pending trial.
This is a stunning blow to Aleman, and is the result of years
of work by Panamanian and U.S. investigators and Panamanian
prosecutors.
2. (SBU) Upon receipt of the initial press reports, Embassy
officers contacted Panamanian anti-corruption prosecutor
Mercedes de Leon for a reaction to Judge Mejia's ruling. De
Leon was clearly pleased by the news, but cautioned that she
had not yet received her copy of the written ruling. Among
the issues to be clarified is whether charges against any of
the co-accused had been dismissed (Note: press reports
indicated that Ethel and Valeria Jerez may have been
exonerated.) De Leon promised to share copies of any
relevant documents, including the judge's ruling, with USG
officials. She also signaled her intent to appeal decisions
to dismiss charges against any of the accused.
3. (SBU) Post will continue to monitor this case closely,
including the possibility of appeals. At our urging,
prosecutors will request that the judge expeditiously issue
arrest warrants, which can then result in the issuance of
INTERPOL red notices. It is not yet clear when the judge
will schedule the beginning of the trial.
4. (SBU) Comment: Panama's Public Ministry, including the
investigators and prosecutors who have worked on this case
over the past several years, deserve kudos for their
dedication to seeing Aleman brought to justice. Attorney
General Ana Matilde Gomez has been resolute in her personal
commitment to this case. We believe that the consistent
strong message of USG interest in this case, expressed both
here and in Washington, helped counter efforts by the defense
to tamper with the proceedings.
EATON