FORMER PRESIDENT Ricardo Martinelli has hired a lawyer in Italy, to defend himself from corruption investigations in Italy which he has, until now, described as  an "Italian soap opera."

Rosario Minniti, a native of Colombia is the latest lawyer who will benefit from the numerous corruption investigations allegedly linked to Martinelli.

He will be involved in potecting his client in investigatiotaking part in Italy  related to contracts signed while he was in office.

Minniti confirmed his hiring to La Prensa.

For now, the lawyer is focused on the criminal trial taking place in Naples involving alleged bribes that were demanded of the company Svemark. He will also follow the proceedings in Rome surrounding defense contracts signed with the firm Finmeccanica. Says La Prensa.

Naples prosecutors Vincenzo Piscitelli and Henry John Woodcock have closed their investigation into the matter, which will now go before a judge.