A MAN  who accused President Juan Carlos Varela of corruption during celebrations of the Cry of Independence in La Villa de Los Santos on Saturday, November 10, was arrested and taken before a Justice of the Peace who imposed a $300 fine.

Marcelino Ruíz, 67, of the  National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (Frenadeso)

Ruíz shouted at Varela: "May I be struck by lightning if Varela is not implicated in corruption cases!"  according to reports on the Bayano website.  Security agents of the National Police arrested  Ruíz at his home

He was released after the JP set the   $300 fine.

In Panama, libel and slander are classified as crimes against honor.

His daughter Lilian Marissa through her Facebook account said that her father was arrested unfairly, since the man who is also a victim of diethylene glycol poisoning, only exercised his right to protest.

"The epidermal cases of President Juan Carlos Varela are reiterated. He speaks of Democracy at the International level (as always in a  bubble) but with  a repressive attitude as daily practice, against  any questioning  of his administration and person, using for purposes other than those entrusted by Law to the security apparatus of the State (careful with embezzlement) that seem to act as a private guard," Said Marissa.