Panamanian released on bond

UA grad, ex-president fighting extradition to his country

A federal judge on Tuesday ordered former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli to be released to home confinement on $1 million bond as he continues a legal fight against extradition.

But the same day U.S. authorities filed a motion in U.S. District Court in Miami to delay his release pending their appeal of the judge’s order.

Martinelli, 65, faces criminal charges in his home country, including embezzlement, that relate to his time as Panama’s president. He was arrested on June 12 in Florida.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1973 from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

After being elected as Panama’s top leader in 2009, Martinelli returned to Fayetteville to receive an honorary degree in 2013. The Fayetteville campus has seen the number of students from Panama increase from three in 2010 to 136 this past fall.

In August, a U.S. magistrate judge granted an order certifying Martinelli’s extradition. Martinelli has described the accusations against him as politically motivated.

Court documents state he faces four charges: interception of telecommunications without judicial authorization; tracking, persecution and surveillance without judicial authorization; embezzlement by theft and misappropriation; and embezzlement of use.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Marcia Cooke cited “special circumstances,” including Martinelli’s deteriorating health and “the possibility of success on appeal” in the order granting his request for release on bond.

Under terms of the order, Martinelli would be “restricted to his residence at all times except for medical needs or treatment and court appearances.” A motion to stay the order was filed Tuesday by authorities including the U.S. attorney general and U.S. secretary of state, but was not made public.