In a report from SAN JOSE by Reuters, it was announced on Wednesday that Nicaragua’s government has provided asylum to Panama’s former President Ricardo Martinelli. This decision came after the ex-leader, who is currently facing a lengthy prison sentence in Panama, requested protection at Nicaragua’s embassy in Panama City.
Martinelli, who had previously declared his intention to run for president in the upcoming elections, claims to be a victim of political persecution and believes that his life is in “imminent” danger, as stated by Nicaragua’s foreign ministry.
Last week, Panama’s highest court rejected Martinelli’s appeal to throw out an almost 11-year prison sentence following a conviction last year on charges related to money laundering.
Nevertheless, Martinelli, who served as president of Panama from 2009 to 2014, had been leading in polls leading up to the presidential election scheduled for May.
Panama’s foreign ministry did not respond immediately when requested for comment.
(Reporting by Ismael Lopez in San Jose; Additional reporting by Elida Moreno in Panama City; Editing by Chris Reese and Brendan O’Boyle)
