(VOVworld) - Panamanian authorities have arrested former president Ricardo Martinelli after the Supreme Court ordered his provisional detention.

Martinelli has been stripped of his immunity from prosecution in the case (Photo: Reuters)

Martinelli is being held "in connection with an investigation into illegal surveillance allegedly carried out during his administration from 2009 to 2014.  He also faces half a dozen different investigations into alleged misuse of public funds, financial crimes, taking bribes and giving illegal pardons. Other members in his administration have been investigated in connection with the crime and "are expected to be tried in March," including former National Security Council directors Alejandro Garuz and Gustavo Perez, whose testimony was used to build the case against Martinelli. Panama’s authorities are carrying out 6 investigations on Mr. Martinelli.