Panamanian judge rules seizure of José Gabriel Carrizo's apartment illegal

A Panamanian guarantee judge has declared the seizure of an apartment belonging to former Vice President José Gabriel Carrizo illegal. Carrizo is currently under house arrest as part of an investigation into alleged unjustified enrichment.

The Public Ministry had requested the seizure, arguing that payments made for the property in August and September 2019 were linked to the investigation since Carrizo was a public official at that time. However, the defense argued that the property was acquired before he assumed office on July 1, 2019, noting that the purchase agreement was signed in May and deeds were issued in June 2019.

The defense further stated that the funds used for the property came from a $2.3 million fixed-term deposit held by the family. The judge ruled that the seizure request did not meet the necessary legal conditions established under Article 351 of the Panamanian Penal Code and noted that the prosecution lacked the required authorization from a guarantee judge to execute the measure.