Panama’s Odebrecht trial begins Monday with 32 accused, including 2 ex-presidents, on money laundering charges.

Panama’s Odebrecht trials -with 32 indicted on money laundering charges, including two former presidents and six former ministers- are set to begin on Monday, January 12.

“To understand the process, we are in what we call the plenary phase”, explained Prosecutor Gomez Rudy. “An order to stand trial has already been issued, opening a probative period which was utilized by both the prosecution and the defense parties. We are now proceeding to the trial stage”, he said.

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“During the trial, each of the accused will inform the court whether they plead innocent or guilty and will also request a period in which the parties may present extraordinary evidence”, Gomez announced.

“Following the evidentiary proceedings in the criminal trial, the phase of final arguments by all parties will take place, after which the court will then enter a state of deliberation to issue its verdict”, he detailed.

In Panama, the crime of money laundering carries a prison sentence of between 5 and 12 years. This would be the maximum term that could be imposed as a sentence.

Origin of the Case

The Lava Jato scandal erupted in Brazil in 2014, revealing a vast network of corruption and bribery involving the state-run oil company Petrobras and several high-profile corporations, including Odebrecht.

In July 2015, criminal charges were brought against Odebrecht’s President, Marcelo Odebrecht, who was sentenced to 19 years in prison in March 2016. Throughout this period, the company continued to bid for and win contracts in Panama.

In December of that same year, Odebrecht entered into a cooperation agreement with authorities, and the United States disclosed documents detailing $788 million in bribes paid across Latin America and Africa.

The case began in Panama in 2016, nearly a decade ago. It currently involves a file comprising 2,973 volumes, plus materials the defense may submit, and is supported by 146 international legal assistances.

To date, dozens of people have been sentenced in this case. Millions of dollars have been recovered, and several individuals remain imprisoned.

Paradoxically, during these years the Panamanian state has also paid, and continues to pay, millions of dollars to Odebrecht for projects such as the construction of Terminal 2 at Tocumen International Airport.

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