Suspected recruiter for Russia's war detained in Panama on human trafficking charges

A Panamanian citizen accused of recruiting young people for Russia's war against Ukraine has been placed in provisional detention on human trafficking charges. The Public Ministry (MP, Prosecutor's Office) announced the detention on Saturday.

The man, reportedly 70 years old according to local press, was apprehended last Thursday at Panama's main airport. During the operation, two individuals identified by authorities as victims were rescued. In a judicial hearing held Saturday, the prosecution successfully legalized surveillance and tracking measures, data seizure, and the arrest in flagrante delicto, all of which were accepted by the court. The indictment was also formally filed, according to an official statement.

Local media reported that during the hearing, the prosecution stated that the victims were offered a monthly salary of $3,000 and a $70,000 bonus payable after their participation in the war. The accused, however, denied the charges, claiming he is merely a taxi driver who provided transportation services and that the recruiters are in Russia.

Panama's Prosecutor's Office announced Tuesday that it had opened four investigations into Panamanian youths who received job offers abroad and ended up fighting in the Ukraine war. The government confirmed that at least one Panamanian national has died in the conflict. Panamanian Vice Chancellor Carlos Guevara Mann confirmed that 24 Panamanians are registered in connection with the war, with 19 associated with Russian forces and five with Ukrainian forces. The Panamanian government has urged its citizens to be cautious of job offers abroad that may be linked to recruitment for the war. Testimonies from relatives and former public force commanders in Panama indicate cases of Panamanians who have enlisted voluntarily, as well as others who were deceived into reaching the front lines.