Former President Ricardo Martinelli’s candidacy in the May presidential election has been revoked by the Panamanian Electoral Tribunal. The body’s president, Alfredo Junca, made the announcement late on Monday, seemingly ending Martinelli’s chances of winning reelection. It happens one month after the former leader sought refuge at the Nicaraguan embassy after failing in his attempt to evade a jail term for corruption.
The tenure of Martinelli as president was 2009–2014. He was convicted last year of buying a share in a publishing business with state funds that had been pilfered. The 71-year-old grocery mogul received a $19 million fine in addition to a term of more than 10 years in jail. The Supreme Court denied an appeal against his punishment last month. That decision was denounced by Martinelli as a “illegal last-minute move” to eliminate him from the presidential contest. His conviction’s finalization gave the Electoral Tribunal the authority to revoke his candidacy. According to Panama’s constitution, a person who has served five years or more in prison cannot occupy public office.
Martinelli was favored to win May’s election according to the majority of polls before to the annulment. The panel approved former Foreign Minister Jose Raul Mulino, his running mate, to continue as a presidential contender on his own. Martinelli, who was likewise barred from seeking a legislative position, insists he is being persecuted for political reasons and has denied any wrongdoing. After he left office, Martinelli—who was a multimillionaire businessman before becoming president—has been the subject of several corruption investigations.
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