[JURIST] Panama officials on Monday suspended a justice of the Supreme Court [official website, in Spanish] over corruption charges in a landmark case. Alejandro Moncada has been battling accusations that he profited from his ties with former president Ricardo Martinelli. 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 must be temporarily frozen [La Prensa report, in Spanish], his passport must be turned in and he shall remain confined to his residence. Moncada denies any wrongdoing and claims to be the victim of a campaign by Martinelli’s political foe and successor, President Juan Carlos Varela, to reshape the high court.

The case has captivated Panamanian media as Moncada’s suspension is the first time in 24 years that a high court judge has been removed from the bench. Voters elected Martinelli president in May 2009 national elections “considered generally free and fair by independent observers” according to a 2010 US Department of State [official website] Human Rights report [text]. However, local elections have been marred by controversy. Human Rights Everywhere [advocacy website], a non profit organization, described the elections in the Ngobe-Bugle community as “confusing” and ill-timed.