TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL  has called for   the revoking of  ex- president  Ricardo Martinelli’s membership of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), the body he called "a den of thieves."

The request was made by IT president , Jose Ugaz, and its chapters in the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama, through an open letter.

According to Ugaz, justice in Panama is limited in  criminally prosecuting  Martinelli for alleged acts of corruption, because he is  a member.

He stressed that the former president has "legal prerogatives" (immunity) conferred by Parlacen, hindering an investigation and prosecution for crimes alleged to have committed.

"Ricardo Martinelli and his associates are being investigated for corruption on a large scale, which allowed them to inordinately increase their personal wealth and, in turn, prevented food items reach needy populations and children in schools receive study materials" , Ugaz said.

"It is time for the Parlacentake  the side of justice. It is time to end the special treatment of Martinelli, and for him  to experience first hand the weight of Panamanian law,"

IT requested the support of the citizens for the Parlacen, regional body to  heed the call. They can sign the petition online at: www.bit.ly/22lSUVT

"We urge the President of Parlacen Jose Antonio Alvarado Correa to take the lead during the next session and ratify the commitment of the Central American Parliament to support the actions of justice," said Manfredo Marroquin, president of Citizen Action, the national chapter of Transparency International in Guatemala.

On July 1, 2014, Martinelli- after leaving power-  Martinelli was sworn in as a Parlacen deputy  in  a rapid procedure in Guatemala.

During his election  campaign Martinelli  wasa  harsh critic of the regional organization which he called "abden of thieves".

Martinelli left the country on January 28, 2015, after announcing a "world tour" in which he planned to denounce “political persecution”. His lawyers have reported that he is in Miami.

The Supreme Court of Justice has reached 12 complaints in which the president is named for the alleged commission of various crimes.

In the letter, Transparency International posed four questions:

Has  Ricardo Martinelli attended meetings or other procedures of the Central American Parliament since February 2015?

What would be the consequences if he has not met the attendance rule requirements of Parlacen?

Is Ricardo Martinelli currently receiving a salary as a member of the Central American Parliament?

What procedures apply to revoke his  membership in the organization?