PANAMA CITY, July 18 (Reuters) - A Panamanian court sentenced former President Ricardo Martinelli to more than 10 years in prison for money laundering, the attorney general's office said on Tuesday, threatening the front-runner's bid to for a new term next year.
A survey published in May by polling firm Campaigns & Elections Mexico put Martinelli as the front-runner, followed by former President Martin Torrijos.
The court imposed a $19.2 million fine on Martinelli, judicial authorities said in a statement.
The former president's spokesperson Luis Camacho said his team will analyze what he called a legal attack on Martinelli.
Reporting by Elida Moreno; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Richard ChangOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Persons:
Ricardo Martinelli, Carlos Carrillo, Ricardo Martinelli Berrocal's, Carrillo, Elections Mexico, Martinelli, Martin Torrijos, Luis Camacho, Elida Moreno, Valentine Hilaire, Richard Chang
Organizations:
PANAMA CITY, Elections, United, Thomson
Locations:
PANAMA, United States