FEDERAL JUDGE ORDERS RICARDO MARTINELLI'S EXTRADITION TO PANAMA

 A US Magistrate Judge in Miami has entered a Final Order on the Government's Motion for a Certificate to Extradite to Panama. In a 93-page opinion, the Court found:

(1) Valid Extradition treaties exist.
(2) The alleged crimes (Embezzlement and Illegal Surveillance) are extraditable under the treaties.
(3)  Probable Cause exists for each extraditable charge.

Martinelli does have a right of appeal to the District Court, and he also has a pending petition for asylum, but this ruling is a major step forward towards his eventual extradition to Panama.