A court in David, Chiriquí Province, has suspended a hearing to legalize evidence obtained during a police raid on Ukrainian citizens. Defense lawyer Abelino Bonilla confirmed the delay, alleging the investigation suffers from procedural irregularities and violated his clients’ constitutional guarantees. The case centers on a search and seizure operation that uncovered a cache of weapons and other items inside a private residence.
Bonilla explained his clients are currently in the evidence presentation phase of the proceedings. He characterized the initial police diligence as a flawed process. The Ukrainian nationals, who were the subjects of the raid, are no longer in Panama but remain under investigation by the Public Ministry (Panama).
Defense Alleges Procedural Violations During Raid
According to the defense attorney, the police operation was publicly framed as a weapons raid. He claims officers seized more than just firearms from the home. Agents also confiscated jewelry, cash, documentation, and sheets of gold during the intervention. Bonilla further alleged that police officers forcibly opened the home’s safe, an action he contends was not properly authorized.
“All of the weapons have permits,” Bonilla stated, according to a case report. [Translated from Spanish] He maintains the entire procedure was conducted improperly from the start.
The sudden suspension of the legalization hearing throws a spotlight on the methods used in the investigation. It creates an immediate procedural hurdle for prosecutors who must have the evidence formally accepted by a judge before it can be used at trial.
Operation Originated in Panama City
Official sources indicate the investigation began in Panama City before extending to actions executed in the western Chiriquí Province. Authorities publicly announced the results of the operation on their social media channels. They have not, however, provided official statements to traditional media outlets about the case specifics or the alleged procedural missteps.
The items seized during the search and seizure are extensive. The evidence list includes weapons of various calibers, ammunition, replicas, computers, radios, GPS trackers, USB devices, and assorted documentation. The legal status of each item, particularly the non-weapon materials, is now a central point of contention.
The case continues under the purview of the Public Ministry (Panama). No new date for the suspended hearing has been announced at this time. The defense’s strategy appears focused on challenging the admissibility of the evidence based on how it was gathered.