VOICED : Expresidente panameno Martinelli absuelto de presunto espionaje a opositores

Ricardo Martinelli was acquitted of illegal espionage charges against 150 opponents by the First Judicial District Court of Panama. The court found no evidence that he ordered espionage between 2012 and 2014. Previously tried and found not guilty in 2019, an appeal overturned the verdict in 2020, leading to a retrial. Martinelli, 69, was celebrated by supporters after the verdict. The prosecution sought an eight-year sentence, claiming irrefutable evidence. After leaving office in 2014, Martinelli faced multiple investigations, with several ministers detained. He moved to Miami in 2015 to avoid prosecution but was extradited to Panama in 2017.

What was the outcome of Ricardo Martinelli's trial regarding illegal espionage?

• The trial was postponed indefinitely.

• He confessed to the charges.

• He was acquitted due to lack of evidence.

• He was found guilty and sentenced.

What happened after Martinelli's initial acquittal in 2019?

• He was immediately imprisoned.

• The verdict was upheld by the appeals court.

• The appeals court overturned the verdict and ordered a retrial.

• He fled the country to avoid retrial.

How did Martinelli's supporters react after the retrial?

• They celebrated and gave him a boxing champion belt.

• They demanded a harsher sentence.

• They protested outside the court.

• They remained silent.

What was the prosecution's stance during the retrial?

• They dropped all charges.

• They requested a plea bargain.

• They claimed to have irrefutable evidence and sought the maximum sentence.

• They sought a reduced sentence.

What actions did Martinelli take after leaving office in 2014?

• He became a political advisor.

• He moved to Miami to avoid legal actions.

• He started a new business venture.

• He retired from public life.