THE LAWYER for the fugitive sons of former president Ricardo Martinelli has been released from preventive detention.

The Special Anti­Corruption Prosecutor has granted Evelyn Vargas Reynaga, a  change to country arrest.

The lawyer ­ who is being investigated over bribes paid by  Odebrecht to Panamanians through Swiss banks ­ is now forbidden to leave the country without judicial authorization.

She had been detained since Feb. 22 after being brought to Panama from Mexico with the help of Interpol.

The change of precautionary measure was confirmed by her lawyer, Juan Vega. The decision

was made based on a petition she  submitted to prosecutors.

According to Swiss authorities, Vargas Reynaga managed companies that were used by Ricardo Alberto and Luis Enrique Martinelli Linares, sons of the former president, to deposit millions of dollars that allegedly corresponded to bribes paid by Odebrecht in exchange for public infrastructure contracts.

The Special Anti­Corruption Prosecutor is also investigating the two sons of the former president, but they remain at large.