PANAMA CITY, Aug 9 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Panama’s public prosecutor asked a court to make an example of ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, who is
accused of spying on political foes, and of graft.
Prosecutor Ricaurte Gonzalez said a 21-year sentence would be justified due
to Martinelli’s rank when the alleged offenses took place.
Martinelli, 67, is accused spying on political enemies, and of helping
embezzle $45 million from a government school lunch program.
It’s the first time a Panamanian ex-president is being tried in criminal
court.
The supermarket tycoon was president from 2009-14 but fled to Miami in 2015 to avoid arrest.
He was extradited from the United States in June 2018 and held for a year
in pre-trial detention before he was released to house arrest two months ago.
“The time has come to change history,” Gonzalez insisted as the trial wound
down.
Martinelli denies the accusations, claiming he is a victim of “political
persecution” by the government of his successor Juan Carlos Varela, a former political ally. — NNN-AGENCIES
