Former Panama president's money laundering sentence stands, likely dooming election prospects this year

The Panamanian Supreme Court upheld Friday the sentence of former President Ricardo Martinelli, which will likely bar him from this year's election.

The 71-year-old businessman and supermarket magnate who governed Panama from 2009 to 2014 was elected by his party last June as its presidential candidate. He was one of eight hopefuls vying for the presidency.

Neither the Panama Electoral Tribunal nor the Supreme Court immediately responded to questions about when Martinelli would be formally barred from the election.