Martinelli sentenced to 10 years in prison
- July 19, 2023
- 0
Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was sentenced on Tuesday to ten years and eight months in prison for money laundering the purchase of a media group in the
Former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli was sentenced on Tuesday to ten years and eight months in prison for money laundering the purchase of a media group in the so-called New Business case, for which he will have to pay a fine of $19.2 million (nearly 322 million Mexican pesos).
Martinelli, who sought to return to the presidency of Panama in 2024, was convicted of laundering funds he used to acquire shares in Editora Panamá América, owner of newspapers such as Crítica or Dia a Día, Estrella de Panamá reports.
Judge Baluisa Marquinez agreed with the prosecution, arguing that both Martinelli and a dozen other defendants used a network of companies and nominees to imitate businesses to achieve their goals of diverting public money. Finally, the former president and four others were convicted.
Martinelli, who became the first candidate in the 2024 presidential election for the right-wing populist Realizando Metas, faces another trial this year for alleged bribes which he would have received from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, acting as a corrupting agent for various reasons on the Latin American continent.
Convicts can still appeal to the Second Court, and in the event that a new decision conflicts with them, they can still appeal. Until he becomes solid, Martinelli, a favorite in some polls, could run in the presidential election scheduled for May 2024.
The former president, who ruled from 2009 to 2014, replied that he was innocent:
“We all know that they want to convict me for political interests, I am innocent. All my invested money is legal and it has been demonstrated that I am not involved in illegal money.
The presidential candidate’s defense will appeal to the Second Court. In case the new decision contradicts them, they can still appeal.
Europe Press.
Source: Aristegui Noticias
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