THE SWISS  Federal Prosecutor investigating the possible link between  former President Ricardo Martinelli and  Brazilian construction firm Odebrecht, has asked for judicial assistance from Panama.

The investigation focuses on the alleged payment of bribes for public contracts, in the Brazililian   Lava Jato (car wash) scandal.

The assignment of the case to Russo was made during a meeting of the General Secretariat of the Supreme Court.

The court has to handle the request due to Martinelli's membership in the Central American Parliament (Parlacen).

Switzerland has also requested information about the possible link of, Luis Enrique and Ricardo Alberto Martinelli Linares, the sons of the former president. All three have fled the country.

That request  will be handled by the Public Ministry.

Attorney General Kenia Porcell has reportedly admitted the request and assigned it to prosecutor Vielka Broce.

All three requests were received in April.

The investigation focuses on the  companies Constructora Internacional del Sur, S.A., Active Capital Holdings and Select Engineering. Investigators are looking into Panama-swiss bank transfers made by those companies