[JURIST] A three-judge panel in Panama on Thursday sentenced the former president of the country’s Supreme Court [official website, in Spanish] Alejandro Moncada to five years in prison for unjustified enrichment and corruption. Panama officials suspended [JURIST report] Moncada in October over corruption charges and accusations that he profited from his ties with former president Ricardo Martinelli. Moncada denied any wrongdoing [JURIST report] and also claimed to be a victim of Martinelli’s political foe and successor Juan Carlos Varela. In 2009 Moncada was appointed by Martinelli to a 10-year term [AP report] as one of nine justices to the Supreme Court. Moncadea plead guilty to the charges and was transferred to jail, after remaining on house arrest during the judicial process.

Moncada’s suspension marked the first time in 24 years that a high court judge was removed from the bench. Documents emerged that Moncada had paid mostly cash for two luxury apartments worth over USD $1.7 million, properties that seem incompatible with his judicial salary. Lawmakers leading an impeachment probe ruled that Moncada’s assets be temporarily frozen [La Prensa report, in Spanish] and his passport be turned in as he remain confined to his residence.