Delgado facing legal challenge to new laws

PANAMA.The Minister of Government and Justice, Daniel Delgado Diamante will himself have to face justice, because members of the Democratic Citizens Net (Red Democrática Ciudadana) have presented two law suits against him to the Attorney General.

The law suits were brought forward by the lawyers Miguel Antonio Bernal, Rolando Villalaz, doctor Mauro Zúñiga, the International Transparency president, Angélica Maytín and Roberto Arosemena.

The first lawsuit is about the mysterious disappearance of Félix Serrano Rodríguez, who was an office clerk in the Victoriano Lorenzo Company, which was part of the defunct Defense Forces, and vanished on September 15, 1983, from a party at the Naos Island in Amador. Serrano’s body was found floating on the sea, two days later. At that time Delgado Diamante had the rank of captain and was the Fuerte Amador’s chief.

The case was investigated by the special prosecutor, Janeth Rovletto, and later close by the Supreme Court for lack of evidence.

However, the claimants said that they would present enough new evidence that will allow special prosecutor Rovletto to open the file against minister Delgado Diamante.

The second accusation is for the crime of abuse of authority, which happened when the laws that create the new public security institutions were approved. They are the Air and Naval Service, the National Border Service and the Intelligence and Security National Services.

The case was also investigated by special prosecutor, Janeth Rovletto, and closed by the Justice Supreme Court for lack of evidence.

The claimants said that they would present new proofs that will allow the special prosecutor to order the re-opening of the case.

The civil leader doctor Mauro Zúñiga, said that Delgado Diamante was doing the same thing as overthrown general, Manuel Antonio Noriega, who created a series of military institutions to punish those who crossed him.