Nicaragua grants asylum to Panama ex-president facing jailPanama City, Panama

Martinelli sought asylum at the Nicaraguan embassy "because he considered himself persecuted for political reasons" and to be at risk, Nicaragua's foreign ministry said in a message to Panama.

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Panama's former president (2009-2014) Ricardo Martinelli speaks during a press conference at the Realizando Metas party headquarters in Panama City, on June 27, 2023. - Panama's Supreme Court rejected the last remaining appeal by former president Ricardo Martinelli, who is seeking to return to power in the May elections, to overturn a nearly 11-year prison sentence for money laundering, according to a ruling released Friday. AFP photo