Ricardo Martinelli on his possible political disqualification in Panama: “History will absolve me”

Former Panamanian president Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014), asylum at the Embassy of NicaraguaCuban leader Fidel Castro paraphrased this Monday, repeating his emblematic “History will absolve me“, upon learning that the Electoral Court is analyzing his possible disqualification from the elections after receiving a copy of the sentence sentencing him to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering.

“I have always said it, in Panama there is no rule of law, neither the law nor the constitution are respected without due process. I repeat, I am innocent. This case was made to disqualify me politically and remove me from the political race, which is illegal.“, said Martinelli in X.

LOOK HERE: They order the arrest of former Panamanian president Martinelli, who received asylum at the Nicaraguan embassy

“In the end everything is known and history WILL ABSOLVE ME in the face of such injustice and judicial explosion not against the RM (Realizing Goals, your party), but against the democratic will of an entire country that wishes to freely elect its rulers, not for whom they want to impose the government illegally“, added the former president.

He Panama Electoral Court is analyzing the former president’s disqualification for the May 5 elections after receiving a copy of the court’s decision ‘New Business’ Casea complex plan to purchase irregularly with public resources the Panamá América SA Editorial (EPASA), which sentenced him to 10 years and 6 months, in addition to a fine of 19.2 million dollars for money laundering, according to local media.

This sentence became final on February 2, after the last appeal for annulment was rejected. Days later, on February 7, Martinelli took refuge in the Embassy of Nicaragua claiming that the conviction against him was political persecution to prevent him from participating in elections as a presidential candidate with his party Accomplishing Goalsfounded in 2021.

Martinelli, 71, started as the favorite in the May 5 general election, according to polls, after winning his party’s primary with 96% of the vote in his favor. Now Martinelli asks for votes for his running mate José Raúl Mulino.

The controversy surrounding the former president’s legal situation affected the general elections, with the electoral body going so far as to modify the dates of the presidential debates following the controversy over whether or not Mulino could participate in Martinelli’s place, a possibility that was finally ruled out. .

It also damaged diplomatic relations between Panama and Nicaragua, the country that granted him asylum.

MORE INFORMATION: Former Panamanian president Martinelli sentenced to almost 11 years in prison for money laundering

Panama’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied safe passage to Martinelli to travel to Nicaragua and asked the Government of Panama for attention. Daniel Ortega for the way in which Martinelli seeks to influence Panamanian politics from Nicaragua’s diplomatic headquarters.

Martinelli was acquitted twice in the case known as ‘Punches‘ (illegal espionage), but he still has to face trial with his two sons for Odebrecht for money laundering.

In Spain he is also investigated for alleged corruption per bribes which the Spanish construction company FCC confessed to having paid in Panama, and also for the alleged spying on a woman on the island of Mallorca.

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.