Panama ex-President kicks off electoral campaign despite judicial setback

Former president of Panama Ricardo Martinelli began his electoral campaign looking for a second term in office, despite a Supreme Court rejection of his final appeal against an 11-year jail term for money laundering.

He was president from 2009 to 2014, was found guilty last year of using stolen public money to buy a stake in a publishing house. In a speech, the former president and businessman said he was not guilty of any crimes and accused authorities of persecuting him as the country gets ready to hold elections on 5th May.