Former Panamanian President Martinelli sentenced to almost 11 years in prison for money laundering

The ex-president Panamanian Ricardo Martinelliwho aspires to return to power in 2024, was sentenced to almost 11 years in prison for money laundering during his tenure (2009-2014), in a sentence that the former ruler will appeal and that he considers part of a plan to disqualify him.

The court “sentences him to 128 months in prison” and to the payment of a fine of 19 million dollars, according to the sentence, of 306 pages.

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The judge of the case Baloisa Marquinezalso sentenced four other people to prison terms of five to eight years, while 10 other defendants were acquitted.

“We all know that they want to convict me for political interests, I am innocent, all my money contributed is legal and it was proven, I have no relationship with illegal money, what they want is to disqualify me”, Martinelli replied on the Twitter account of his party, Realizing Goals (right).

“They don’t want me to be your president (but) I will continue fighting for you and your family until I become president of Panama again”, Martinelli added in a video in which he appears sitting behind a desk with the Panamanian flag.

The first prosecutor against organized crime had requested against Martinelli the maximum sentence of 12 years in prison for buying in 2010, with money from the State, the majority of the shares of Panama America Editor.

“The commission of a punishable conduct in the crime of money laundering has been proven“said the prosecutor emeldo marquez.

However, Martinelli’s defense announced that it will appeal the ruling.

“We hope that this will be corrected in the second instance, we will exhaust all legal resources”, he stated at a press conference. Carlos Carrilloone of the former president’s lawyers.

Both Martinelli and his followers assure that everything is about a “political persecution” to prevent him from running in the presidential elections of the May 5, 2024.

historic ruling

According to the indictment, the purchase of the publisher was made through a complex partnership scheme where various companies deposited a total of $43.9 million.

That money came from the payment of commissions, of up to 10% over the original contract, in infrastructure works during the Martinelli government, who acquired the company with part of those funds, according to the accusation.

MORE INFORMATION: Children of former Panamanian President Martinelli released after serving sentence in the US

The judgment now orders “confiscation in favor of the State” of the actions of the Editora Panamá América and its facilities.

“It is a ruling of enormous importance because it breaks with the tradition of impunity that has been the hallmark of Panamanian justice, when it comes to grand corruption.he told AFP. lina vegapresident of the Panamanian chapter of International Transparency.

The former president was tried from May 23 to June 2 for this case, known as “New Business” (name of one of the companies used for the plot).

“It is a historic ruling, it is the first time in the history of Panama that a businessman, former president and relevant politician is sentenced to 10 years in prison for money laundering and corruption”, the director of the Metro Libre newspaper told AFP, James Aparicio.

Martinelli, owner of a supermarket chain, won the 2009 elections with a speech against corruption, although at the end of his term more than a dozen of his ministers were arrested for various scandals.

The former president, extradited in 2018 from USAwas acquitted in 2021 in a trial for alleged espionage of opponents.

In January 2023, the United States announced the ban on Martinelli and his immediate family from entering the country for “significant acts of corruption”.

key to elections

The 71-year-old former president has another trial in August for the alleged laundering of bribes paid by the Brazilian construction company odebrecht.

Despite everything, Martinelli leads several electoral polls and has already carried out the bureaucratic procedures to register his electoral candidacy at the head of the Realizing Goals party.

“No court ruling in this instance can or should affect Martinelli’s presidential candidacy”, affirmed the lawyer Carrillo.

ALSO SEE: Panamanian Prosecutor’s Office asks to try former presidents Martinelli and Varela for money laundering for Odebrecht

However, a final sentence could put an end to Martinelli’s intentions.

“Many of the people who were already toying with the possibility of supporting him today must be wondering if betting on Martinelli would not be a bad bet.”, the leader of the civil society organization, independent movement (moving), Annette Planells.

Whether or not Martinelli can compete for the presidency is “determinant” because it is “a key figure, who influences all politics, including other parties”, added to AFP, the researcher at the International Center for Political and Social Studies of Panama, Claire Nevache.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.