Court orders 13 arrests in fake diplomas scandal

After a marathon session that lasted until 2:30 a.m. on Friday, the preliminary hearing in Operation Credentials, the corruption scheme investigating the alleged sale of positions and the falsification of academic degrees in the Ministry of Education

(Meduca).

The judge imposed 13 provisional detention measures, 7 house arrests, 2 weekly periodic reports and other minor precautionary measures for the defendants, in a case that has shaken the foundations of the national education sector.

The 23 people arrested, including administrative staff, teachers, former teachers and private citizens, were placed at the disposal of the authorities after more than 25 simultaneous raids carried out in the provinces of Panama West, Chiriquí, Bocas del Toro, Veraguas and Los Santos.

According to the Attorney General’s investigations, those involved were part of an alleged criminal structure dedicated to irregularly negotiating job positions and falsifying diplomas and certificates to accredit fake educators.