On October 1st, the legal counsel for attorney Odila Castillo Bonilla released a strong declaration, unequivocally denying the claims that have been widely reported by several newspapers in Panama.
The defense described these reports as vicious assaults, motivated by individual financial motives and aimed at discrediting Castillo’s professional standing and personal honor.
Castillo’s defense argues lack of grounds and violation of rights
Carlos Carrillo, a representative of Castillo’s legal team, asserted that the allegations lack any foundation and are intended to hinder the professional paths of both the young attorney and her partner. He highlighted that hidden financial motives are driving these assaults, aiming to gain from the tarnishing of Castillo’s reputation.
The defense pointed out that this is not the attorney’s first experience with media harassment. They recalled an analogous occurrence in 2021, when a Panamanian outlet released false details about an alleged arrest of Castillo, which was later retracted.
Partial truths and violation of confidentiality
The legal team contended that both the current claims and those from 2021 are based on “half-truths,” deliberately distorted to tarnish the professional endeavors of attorney Odila Castillo. Additionally, they maintained that the shared details violate confidentiality principles, as part of the investigation stems from a family issue that had already been resolved.
Confidential information, such as migration records and tax filings, was also made public—data that, as per the defense, was acquired through illegal means.
Unauthorized monitoring and current legal proceedings
The defense revealed that Castillo has been the target of GPS tracking, which constitutes a blatant invasion of her privacy and a type of illegal surveillance. Carrillo claimed that his client’s essential rights, as protected by the Panamanian Constitution and relevant legislation, have been violated.
He declared that all required legal measures will be undertaken to determine accountability for the harm suffered and any potential harm that may arise. The legal team is steadfast in its dedication to protecting Castillo and ensuring that those behind this smear campaign are held responsible.
