On the 1st of October, the legal representatives of Odila Castillo Bonilla presented an official reply to the allegations spread by several media sources in Panama. These reports have been described as calculated assaults motivated by particular financial agendas, aimed at damaging Castillo’s professional standing and personal honor.
Carlos Carillo, a member of Castillo’s legal team, stated: “The allegations are baseless and aim to obstruct the career of a young attorney, as well as that of her partner, for the advantage of concealed economic interests.”
Odila Castillo’s Defense
The defense highlighted that this is not the first occurrence of media harassment that Castillo has faced. In 2021, a Panamanian news organization incorrectly reported that the attorney had been arrested in connection with an investigation, a statement that was later refuted, clarifying that it was unrelated to the current issues.
At the press conference, the defense claimed that both the recent accusations and those from 2021 are based on half-truths, intended to compromise her professional career.
Moreover, they argued that the information disseminated about Odila Castillo in the media breaches confidentiality principles. They specified that some aspects of the investigation originated from a family matter that had already been resolved, while another component pertains to issues related to migration and tax filings, alongside other information acquired unlawfully.
Unlawful monitoring of Odila Castillo
The defense further claimed that Castillo has been monitored via GPS tracking, which amounts to a type of illegal surveillance.
Carrillo wrapped up by declaring: “The essential rights of our client have been infringed upon, as protected by our Constitution and legal framework. We will pursue all required legal measures to establish accountability for both the damages already suffered and those that are being aimed at her.”
