DID PANAMA BANKS DELAY ARTHUR PORTER'S EXTRADITION, TO SEIZE HIS MONEY UPON HIS AVOIDABLE DEATH ?

Dr. Arthur Porter

Dr. Arthur Porter, a prominent Canadian physician, who was accused of diverting tens of millions of dollars, in a major hospital bribery scandal, has died, while in custody, in the Republic of Panama. The back story, of his unnecessary and untimely death, paints an ugly and disgusting picture of the avarice of Panama's leading banks, who reportedly maneuvered to delay his extradition. The purpose of the delay was to ensure that he would expire in Panama, having large accounts in local banks, which the banks intended to seize and convert to their own use. Porter was allegedly involved in a $22.5m kickback scheme in Canada.

Mr. Porter, who was formerly the chairman of the Intelligence Review Committee, overseeing CSIS, Canada's intelligence agency, had terminal lung cancer, when he was detained in Panama in 2013. It has been widely reported in Panama City, that bank executives, at those Panamanian financial institutions where Porter kept large accounts, conspired to pressure local prosecutors, under the corrupt former Martinelli administration, to delay his extradition indefinitely, for the sole purposes of retaining it after his premature death, due to the criminal denial of treatment for Porter. The deceased, who passed away on July 1st, is said to have suffered greatly in jail;  he could have survived for a long period of time, had he been allowed to return to Canada, to face the charges, and be treated for his illness.

The vulture-like attitude of Porter's Panamanian bankers, which has shocked even the most hardened Panama observers, is indicative of the absolutely amoral culture that exists among the most senior bankers in Panama. Whether those individuals whose improper influence resulted in Porter's mistreatment and excessive period of incarceration, when he had already waived any defenses, and asked to be extradited, receive justice for their crimes, is another matter.