Ricardo Martinelli: Panama ex-president sentenced to decade behind bars
This article is a summary of reporting by Reuters. Originally published July 18, 2023.
Former Panama President Ricardo Martinelli was handed a sentence of more than a decade in prison after being found guilty of money laundering charges. The case involved public contract kickbacks diverted into front accounts to purchase a controlling interest in a major Panamanian publishing conglomerate. The ruling came as Martinelli was preparing another run for the presidency in Panama, throwing the country's upcoming general election into significant turbulence. Martinelli maintained his innocence, claiming the prosecution was designed to disqualify him from public office.
AI Summary
A Panama court sentenced former President Ricardo Martinelli to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering in the 'New Business' case.
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