FILE PHOTO: Panama鈥檚 former president Ricardo Martinelli (C) stands outside the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) in Guatemala City January 29, 2015. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
PANAMA CITY 鈥� A Panamanian court sentenced former President Ricardo Martinelli to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering, the attorney general鈥檚 office said on Tuesday, threatening the front-runner鈥檚 bid to for a new term next year.
The case, known as 鈥淣ew Business,鈥� was opened in 2017 when authorities became aware of possible financial crimes linked to the purchase of a news outlet, the statement said.
The former president鈥檚 defense will appeal the sentence and exhaust all the legal options available, Martinelli鈥檚 lawyer Carlos Carrillo said in a news conference.
鈥淩icardo Martinelli Berrocal鈥檚 candidacy is solid,鈥� Carrillo said, noting he is still eligible to run for the presidency since there is time to challenge the sentence.
A survey published in May by polling firm Campaigns & Elections Mexico put Martinelli as the front-runner, followed by former President Martin Torrijos.
The court imposed a $19.2 million fine on Martinelli, judicial authorities said in a statement.
Martinelli became the first official candidate for Panama鈥檚 2024 presidential election last month after he was elected by the party Realizando Metas, a group he founded two years ago.
The former president鈥檚 spokesperson Luis Camacho said his team will analyze what he called a legal attack on Martinelli.
The United States barred Martinelli from entering the country in January, accusing him of accepting bribes in return for improperly awarding government contracts during his 2009-2014 administration.