The former president of Panama is sentenced to 10 years in prison and a 19 million euro fine

Ricardo Martinelli, the former president of Panama, has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison by the judicial authorities for money laundering.

The former Panamanian president who is touted as one of the most favored politicians in the 2024 parliamentary elections has also been fined $19 million.

Investigations against him began in 2017 when the authorities learned that they may be involved in financial crimes related to the purchase of a media company.

Defense lawyer Carlos Carrillo said during a press conference that Mr. Martinelli's team will use all legal options.

"Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal's candidacy is strong", said the lawyer Carrillo, underlining that the legal sanctions that weigh on him do not deprive the former president from running again for the post of president as he has time to appeal the sentence.

According to polls, Martinelli is the candidate who enjoys broad support in the electorate, followed by former president Martin Torrijos.

In January, Mr. Martinelli was declared non grata by the United States on charges of accepting bribes in exchange for improperly awarding government contracts during the years 2009-2014 when he was in power./ CNA

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