Mayer Mizrachi attends court in Panama

Mayer Mizrachi was arrested Wednesday, September 7th in Bogota by Colombian immigration officials and extradited to Panama, landing in Panama at 12:45 a.m., Thursday, September 8th. Mizrachi appeared in Panamanian court today, where he faced charges related to a government contract that allegedly contained irregularities.

The Thirteenth Court of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) has granted bail for Mizrachi at $100,000. However, Mayer Mizrachi is prohibited from leaving the country.

Who is Mayer Mizrachi?

Mayer Mizrahi is a 28-year-old, dual Jamaican and Panamanian citizen, and the entrepreneur behind Criptext, an application best described as a rival to WhatsApp. It has also been stated that he is the nephew of ex-Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli, but technically he’s not. Mizrachi is actually the son Martinelli’s sister’s boyfriend.

Mayer Mizrachi was arrested in Colombia on an Interpol Red Notice after landing in Cartagena, Colombia Dec 29th, 2015 where he was detained by customs officials.  Mizrachi was told that he was wanted for extradition by the government of Panama, where he owned a business. That business was Innovative Ventures, the parent to Criptext. Mizrachi was detained in Bogotá’s maximum-security prison, La Picota for the alleged breach of contract. The claims involved his failure to deliver Criptext to Panama's innovation department.