Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli said former Administrative Department of Security DAS Director Maria del Pilar Hurtado will not be turned over to the Colombian government, TVN Panama reported.

"Del Pilar Hurtado has political asylum. We will follow international law and she will stay in Panama," said Martinelli.

Del Pilar Hurtado is accused of espionage and illegally spying on supreme court judges, politicians and human rights workers in Colombia by wiretapping phone conversations.

She fled Colombia in April after authorities came closer to issuing an arrest warrant against her and several aides to former President Alvaro Uribe, who is also under investigation by a parliamentary committee.

Martinelli's decision to grant political asylum has led to fierce reactions in Colombia, where critics are accusing Panama of undermining Colombia's justice system.