PANAMA’S former president Ricardo Martinelli won his party’s primary yesterday and the right to seek another term in the elections next year, even though he has been indicted on money-laundering charges.

Martinelli, who was president from 2009 to 2014, stands accused of having bought a majority share in the Editora Panama America publishing house in 2010 using illegally acquired state funds. 

Last week, a prosecutor requested a 12-year prison term for him and 12 other defendants.

Still, yesterday, he won the primary held by his party, called Achieving Goals, which he founded in 2021.

Martinelli took 96% of the votes although turnout was only 25%, the Election Commission said.

The election is scheduled for May next year. 

Prosecutors said Martinelli and others used a series of front companies to siphon off almost US$44 million (RM201.4 million) from state infrastructure contracts during his 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 machinations to prevent him from standing in the 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. – AFP, June 5, 2023.