Former President Ricardo Martinelli returned to his “political persecution” mantra on Sunday, June 4 when he went to vote in the presidential primary elections of the political group that bears his initials (RM). He was referring to the Business trial which ended on Friday, May 26.

In the primary elections, Martinelli −leader and president of RM− is one of the four candidates to be the presidential standard-bearer in the elections of May 5, 2024.

Martinelli, who presented a medical certificate of disability for 60 days on the same day that the trial of the New Business case began, arrived at the Richard Neumann school on Via Israel, accompanied by his wife, Marta de Martinelli.

"Be careful, he has just had surgery," said Martinelli's wife, when he was approached by the media upon his arrival at the school, at 10:15 a.m.

Regarding the trial of the New Business case, Martinelli described it as "crude" and "false", which "will destroy justice." He also stated that he "does not care" about the ruling that is given in this process.

"My spine is screwed up, I have to take care of myself," said the former president, when asked about his state of health. In fact, he said that he did not campaign "because of my column."

Last Friday, after just over 75 hours of sessions in which the arguments of 12 lawyers and two prosecutors were heard, the trial of 15 people accused of alleged money laundering through the purchase of Editora Panamá América, S.A. (Epasa) came to an end. 

The Public Ministry requested the maximum penalty for 13 people, including Martinelli.