BRIEFS. environment

Espino told to appear in court in april

A hearing has been scheduled for April 14 in the ongoing battle between prosecutors and Charro Rodolfo Espino, who is the uncle of President Martín Torrijos.

Last Wednesday, prosecutors reported that they were once again unsuccesful in interviewing Espino, who has avoided numerous interviews and court hearings.

Espino, who is accused of ravaging 38 hectares of land in an environmentally-sensitive area of Punta Chame, has had his case delayed for months because of an illness.

When prosecutors tried to question him about the case more recently, he declined to be interviewed on Constitutional grounds.

Prosecutors have asked that Espino be banned from leaving the country.