Ricardo Martinelli found guilty of money laundering in the New Business trial

PANAMA - In Brief 18 Jul 2023 by Marco Fernandez

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Former President Ricardo Martinelli (71) was sentenced to 128 months in prison, along with a fine of 19 million dollars, and the transference of the shares of EPASA to the government. EPASA is the holding company that owns two newspapers in Panama; its purchase by RM, presumably with money from public sector contractors, was the pièce de resistance of the trial. Similarly, four other defendants were convicted: Daniel Ochy to 96 months of imprisonment, Janeth Vásquez (60 months), Iván Arrocha (70 months), and Valentín Martínez Vásquez (80 months). Ten defendants were acquitted. This process has two perspectives: the judicial and the political. From the judicial perspective, the matter will follow the expected path: the appeal before the Superior Tribunal within the next five days (the Tribunal is composed mostly of judges seemingly tilted in favor of the former President). It is expected that they will delay the verdict.  The final instance would be the appeal by the State or the defense lawyers to the Supreme Court, which is likely to agree with today's “guilty” verdict from Judge Marquinez. On the political side, the ruling does not disqualify RM for running in 2024, until the case becomes res judicata, when no further appeals are admitted. Experts in the legal procedures in Panama consider that a closing of this case might take up to nine months, when RM will likely be excluded from May elections. If a decision is reached before September, RM could summon a primary election to elect new candidates for President and Vice-president of Realizando Metas Party. If it takes longer than September and the verdict is confirmed by the Court, the political scenario becomes murk...