The former president of Panama Ricardo Martinelli is sentenced to more than ten years in prison for money laundering

For now, he is the only candidate for the 2024 presidential elections, which, according to his lawyer, is not in danger.

The former president of Panama Ricardo Martinelli (2009-2014) has been sentenced this Tuesday for ten years and eight months in prison for money laundering in the purchase of a group of communication media in the so-called 'New Business' case and for which he will have to pay a fine of 19.2 million dollars (17 million euros).

Martinelli, who had aspirations to return to the Presidency of Panama in 2024, has been convicted of laundering the funds he used to take over shares of Editora Panamá América, owner of newspapers such as 'Crítica', or 'Día a Día', details the newspaper 'Estrella de Panama'.

Judge Baloisa Marquínez has agreed with the accusation when she maintains that both Martinelli and a dozen other defendants used a network of companies and front men to simulate businesses to achieve their objectives of diverting public money. Finally, the former president and four other people have been sentenced.

Martinelli, who had become the first candidate for the 2024 presidential elections for the right-wing populist Realizando Metas, has another trial pending this year for the alleged bribes he would have received from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, present as a corrupting agent in various cases for the entire Latin American continent.

Those convicted can still appeal to the Second Court of Justice and in the event that the new ruling is contrary to them, they could still invoke an appeal. Until it is firm, Martinelli, the favorite in some polls, could participate in the presidential elections scheduled for May 2024.

In fact, Martinelli's lawyer, Carlos Carrillo, has assured that the former president's presidential candidacy is still standing, since the criminal conviction "does not affect" the electoral aspirations of the convicted person, as reported by the Panamanian newspaper 'La Estrella de Panamá. '.

According to Carillo, no judicial ruling in this instance can affect Martinelli's candidacy, and he has also taken the opportunity to criticize the treatment that has been given to the figure of the protected witness during the judicial process and the agreements reached "against the law" .

The lawyer has insisted on the innocence of his client and has asserted that "the sale of Epasa, as its sellers said, was not made or negotiated with our client." Carrillo, in addition, has criticized that the fine imposed on Martinelli is disproportionate.