Former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli remains in a Santo Tomas (HST) intensive care room, guarded by police not because of his high blood pressure, but because of his “status” and continues to receive visitors and consult with his lawyers after a series of made for TV events that have many critics doubting his health complaints and giving  his  “feeling ill” performance in a courtroom  a soap opera rating.

According to an HST source, Martinelli is in the intensive care unit not because of his medical condition, but because the room allows proper security and privacy for a figure like a former president.

A similar situation  occurred with former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega when he received medical attention in the same room

After a hearing on Monday night, June 11 at which Martinelli,  arrived smiling and waving to CD Party supporters, whose activities included bottle throwing at victims of his illegal wiretapping. Martinelli spoke passionately about his medical condition which had apparently not caused concern to  US authorities during his year in a Miami detention center while a team of lawyers fought to block his extradition.

In spite of his head- in-hands symptoms the judge of guarantees Jerónimo Mejía ordered him transferred to El Renacer prison, where he would be held because of the danger of absconding.

He was later moved to  the ICU at Santo Tomas Hospital  (HST) apparently suffering from hypertension after refusing medication

At the second hearing on Tuesday, called so a doctor could explain the many ailments Martinelli claims to have, the judge was told that Martinelli had refused a Forensic Institute examination.

The judge, relatives, and lawyers went to Santo Tomas to check his condition and to verify irregularities claimed by his lawyers.

He finally submitted to a forensic examination, the results are awaited by the Court.

His lawyers said that they were prevented from seeing their client in the hospital and that when Martinelli was transported on a gurney to another room for medical examinations of the heart, he was heavily guarded by more than 10 police officers, which was unnecessary.

“They have kidnapped my client, the hospital is militarized,” said Sidney Sitton, one of Martinelli's lawyers.

"We have not been allowed to see Martinelli, if we have done some exams we do not know what they were, everything that is happening is by order of President Varela," said the former lady and wife, Marta de Martinelli.

Complainants in the case against Martinelli, describe the alleged diseases and illness as a 'strategy', so as not to appear before the courts.

"We have seen a Mr. Martinelli very happy when he arrived in Panama, but immediately he arrives at the  court all the ills that he didn’t have in the United States appeared he is not the victim, the victims are us, respect us, "said Balbina Herrera, one of the150  victims of the alleged illegal surveillance

Another plaintiff, Michel Doens, said that what they want is to make him look like a political persecuted. "A series of dilatory actions is presented, for the effects that make him appear as a victim," he said.

Carlos Herrera Morán, the lawyer of one of the victims, said he is concerned with the debate on precautionary measures.

"This is a man with a lot of economic power, who has political power that can easily corrupt justice," he added.

[caption id="attachment_84878" align="alignleft" width="300"] Mario Martinelli[/caption]

Martinelli was visited at Santo Tomás hospital, by his lawyer Alma Cortés, and his brother Mario, both facing corruption trials and the president of the Assembly, Yanibel Ábrego.

Cortés said that Martinelli fears being poisoned in the hospital.

The complainants said they have been assaulted by supporters of Martinelli

The former president is under the control of the Penitentiary System, an entity under the umbrella of the Ministry of Government.

The source adds that on Wednesday  Forensic Medicine  Institute  staff carried out  examinations corresponding exams, but the results are unknown.