A judge said Friday, December 11, 2015, that Martinelli is in contempt of court for failing to appear at a session in which he was expected to be charged with illegally spying on opponents. (AP File Photo)
PANAMA CITY:
Panama's Supreme Court has order the detention of former President Ricardo Martinelli to face charges that he illegally spied on opponents.
The supermarket magnate is accused of illegally intercepting the communications of 150 people during his 2009 to 2014 administration. He's been stripped of his immunity from prosecution in the case, as well as in another probe in which aides are accused of inflating contracts to purchase food for a government social program.
The court upheld a prosecutor's request to order the detention of the 63-year-old Martinelli after a judge declared him in contempt for failing to appear at a December 11 hearing.
Martinelli, who has been outside the Central American country since January, has denied the charges and says he is the target of persecution by his successor.
The supermarket magnate is accused of illegally intercepting the communications of 150 people during his 2009 to 2014 administration. He's been stripped of his immunity from prosecution in the case, as well as in another probe in which aides are accused of inflating contracts to purchase food for a government social program.
The court upheld a prosecutor's request to order the detention of the 63-year-old Martinelli after a judge declared him in contempt for failing to appear at a December 11 hearing.
Martinelli, who has been outside the Central American country since January, has denied the charges and says he is the target of persecution by his successor.
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
