THE EXPECTED moves by the lawyers of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli to attempt to block his extradition to face criminal charges,  came on Thursday July 7 citing unconstitutionality.

"Consequently, we ask that this warning of unconstitutionality be referred, without further ado, within two days, the plenary of the Supreme Court, for the purposes of the provisions of article 2557 of the Judicial Code, in view of that it is feasible because the legal standard warned as unconstitutional has not been the subject of a ruling by the Plenum of the Supreme Court in that regard, "Rogelio Cruz asked.

The defense claims that the former President and current deputy of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) has not been convicted or charged with any crime.

On May 27 last, Judge Jerome Mejia in his functions as judge of guarantees presented to the Foreign Ministry a request to extradite and arrest Martinelli, who left the country on January 28, 2015 and is located in Miami, United States.

Martinelli is accused of the unauthorized interception of communications, through the National Security Council during his tenure (2009-2014).

The defense claims that the extradition request is null, since his client has not been charged, which is a violation of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the American Convention on Human Rights.

However, on   October9 the prosecutor Judge Harry Diaz filed an indictment in pointing to Martinelli for the alleged commission of crimes of inviolability of secrecy and privacy, and embezzlement.