PANAMA CITY (AFP) – Scandal-ridden former Panama president Ricardo Martinelli on Tuesday went on trial on charges of money laundering, clouding his chances of standing in next year’s election.
Martinelli is one of 15 people accused of having bought, in 2010, a majority share in the Editora Panama America publishing house using state funds.
Martinelli, who was president from 2009-14, was not present at the opening of the trial having presented a medical disability certificate due to an operation on his shoulder.
According to prosecutors, the defendants used a series of front companies to siphon off almost USD44 million from state infrastructure contracts during Martinelli’s presidency.
Martinelli then allegedly used part of this money to buy a controlling stake in the media company, whose newspapers adopted an editorial line that promoted the ex-president’s interests.
Supermarket magnate Martinelli denies having received “any ill-gotten gains” and claims to be a victim of political persecution to prevent him from standing in the May 2024 presidential elections.
Martinelli has been investigated for multiple corruption scandals since leaving office. In 2021, he was acquitted for a second time on charges of espionage and embezzlement of public funds.