Panama's Attorney General steps down in midst of corruption scandal
(Newsroompanama.com) Panama’s beleaguered acting Attorney General, Guiseppe Bonissi, tendered his resignation on Christmas Eve as his office became increasingly rocked by scandal and allegations of infiltration by organized crime.
Angelica Maytín, executive director of the Panama chapter of Transparency International, reported that President, Ricardo Martinelli, had accepted the resignation of the man who was appointed to fill the gap left by Ana Matilde Gomez, who lost her job after being accused and convicted of tapping the cell phone of a criminal prosecutor who was being investigated for allegedly soliciting bribes.
Many condemned the prosecution as politically motivated.
Now, her successor, who has been in office for only 10 months has resigned after pressure from his peers, and civil organizations.
According to Bonissi drug trafficking has directly attacked the prosecutor’s office and the pressures during his short tenure have extended to his family.
At a press conference he claimed there has been political pressure for him to leave the post of Attorney General.
He said that he fears for his life because he is an honest Panamanian and will leave with the head held high.
Speaking on Telemetro Maytín said that the issue of justice in Panama is "integral" and cannot be resolved just by electing a replacement.
She said that the president will call a special session of the National Assembly next week,to choose the new prosecutor.
"We would have liked to establish a commission, to choose that person” said Maytín.
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Original Source: Newsroompanama.com
Date Retrieved: December 25, 2010.
