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Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
Fri Jul 3, 2020, 02:28 AM Jul 2020

Former Panama Presidents Charged With Money Laundering

By AFP News on July 03 2020 2:01 PM

Panama's last two presidents, Ricardo Martinelli and Juan Carlos Varela, were charged Thursday with money laundering, as two separate scandals tarnished the political legacy of the former allies turned enemies.

Martinelli was charged with money laundering over the so-called "New Business" case in which a publishing group was allegedly purchased with government funds during his 2009-14 term.

Martinelli, 68, was in a combative mood as he departed the public prosecutor's office in Panama City.

"I'm going to be frank with you, this pisses me off, this political persecution that has no end... they want to involve me (in the case) in order to do away with me," he said, after refusing to testify.

Martinelli was held in pre-trial detention for two years after he was extradited from the United States to face trial for spying on his political foes. He was acquitted on those charges in 2019.

More:
https://www.ibtimes.com.au/former-panama-presidents-charged-money-laundering-1592810



Meeting of two bid deals.





Ricardo Martinelli's campaign poster photo.



He knows where you live!

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