A head of a zone of Panama's National Police was detained for allegedly soliciting a bribe in exchange for making evidence linked to an investigation disappear, in a case of corruption involving public servants.
The arrest took place during Operation Traslado, carried out by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of the Attorney General's Office, through raids in two provinces of the country.
According to the inquiries advanced by the Primary Attention Section of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, the official would have taken advantage of his position within the institution to solicit a sum of money in exchange for failing to fulfill his obligations.
The alleged agreement consisted of locating and making disappear clues related to an ongoing investigation, an action that could compromise the preservation of elements necessary for the clarification of criminal acts.
The judicial proceedings were carried out in the district of San Carlos, province of Panamá Oeste, where the suspect's capture was carried out, and in Altos del Crisol, a community in the district of San Miguelito.
During the raid carried out in the latter sector, the authorities located technological equipment that will be incorporated into the investigative proceedings to determine its possible connection to the events and establish potential criminal responsibilities.
The Attorney General's Office has not disclosed the amount of money allegedly solicited…
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A police chief was detained for allegedly soliciting money in exchange for making evidence related to an investigation disappear. (Illustrative image Infobae)
A zone chief of Panama's National Police was detained for allegedly soliciting a bribe in exchange for making evidence linked to an investigation disappear, in a case of corruption of public servants. The apprehension took place during Operation Traslado, carried out by the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office of the Attorney General's Office, through raids in two provinces of the country.
According to the inquiries advanced by the Primary Attention Section of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office, the official would have taken advantage of his position within the institution to request a sum of money in exchange for failing to fulfill his obligations. The alleged agreement consisted of locating and making disappear clues related to an ongoing investigation, an action that could compromise the preservation of elements necessary for the clarification of criminal acts.
The Panamanian Penal Code contemplates sentences of between two and four years in prison for the basic modality of corruption of public servants. (Illustrative image Infobae)
The judicial proceedings were carried out in the district of San Carlos, province of Panama Oeste, where the suspect's capture was carried out, and in Altos del Crisol, a community in the district of San Miguelito. During the raid carried out in the latter sector, the authorities located technological equipment that will be incorporated into the investigative proceedings to determine its possible connection to the events and establish possible criminal responsibilities.
The Attorney General's Office has not disclosed the amount of money allegedly requested by the official, nor has it specified the nature of the investigation he intended to obstruct, or whether he actually received the alleged bribe. It has also not been reported whether the detainee managed to eliminate any evidence or whether there are other people linked to the alleged illicit agreement, aspects that must be clarified during the development of the judicial investigations.
The Public Ministry announced that the official would be presented before a Guarantees Court, where it would request the legalization of his apprehension, the imputation of charges, and the application of the corresponding precautionary measures. The investigations seek to determine whether the suspect actually received money or eliminated evidence. (Illustrative image Infobae)
Panamanian legislation contemplates different sanctions for crimes against the public administration, including bribery of officials, the improper use of confidential information, and other conduct related to abuse of office. Article 345 of the Penal Code establishes sentences of two to four years in prison for public servants who solicit or receive improper benefits in exchange for failing to fulfill their legal obligations. The provision also punishes officials who accept money, promises, or other economic advantages to perform acts proper to their position, even when such actions do not represent a breach of their functions.
For its part, article 346 contemplates sentences of four to eight years in prison for certain officials with decision-making capacity who solicit benefits to favor or harm one of the parties in a proceeding. The sanctions can reach between five and ten years in prison when the conduct contemplated in that article causes the conviction of an innocent person, due to illicit actions that compromise the administration of justice. Panamanian legislation also contemplates criminal sanctions for people who offer bribes to public officials. (Illustrative image Infobae)
The Penal Code also establishes responsibilities for those who offer bribes, contemplating in its article 347 sentences of three to six years for people who deliver or promise improper benefits to public servants. The use of reserved information obtained by reason of one's position, for one's own benefit or that of third parties, constitutes another modality of corruption punished with four to eight years in prison, according to article 348. The application of these provisions will depend on the charges formulated by the Prosecutor's Office, the elements gathered during the investigations, and the decisions of the judicial authorities, under the principle of presumption of innocence.