AS PROTESTS mount against impunity in the Odebrecht bribery case, The Public Ministry (MP)  has announced an appeal against the decision of a judge who effectively blocked an investigation by anti-corruption prosecutors.

Twelfth substitute criminal judge Lania Batista, denied an extension to the Special Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office to continue with the investigation of the bribes paid by Odebrecht to government officials and individuals and ordered prosecutors to forward the uncompleted file to the  Court.

Following the ruling of the substitute judge members of organized civil society, unions and citizens have called for demonstrations to demand that the investigation is continued. They have taken place at the Supreme Court. The National Assembly and in the streets of Panama City  and David, Chiriqui.