This is hot: Panamanian court drops money laundering charges against former Nicaraguan president

[Judi Lynn]

Panamanian court drops money laundering charges against former Nicaraguan president
By Associated Press
6:57 p.m. EDT, July 9, 2010

PANAMA CITY (AP) — A Panamanian court has dropped money laundering charges against former Nicaraguan President Arnoldo Aleman.

The court has ruled that the case against Aleman violated his right to only be tried for a crime once.

The court argued the charges against Aleman were similar to charges he has faced in Nicaragua. The July 2 decision was released to The Associated Press on Friday.

Aleman had been accused of using bank accounts in Panama to launder about $58 million allegedly stolen from Nicaraguan government coffers. He denied the charges.

In January, Nicaragua's Supreme Court overturned Aleman's conviction for money laundering, but an appeals court later reopened three cases against him.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/nationworld/sns-ap-lt-panama-nicaragua-ex-president,0,4600592.story

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Nicaragua ex-president Aleman to run again in 2011 (!!!!!!1!1!!1!!)
By FILADELFO ALEMAN Associated Press Writer
Posted: 07/12/2010 12:31:09 PM PDT
Updated: 07/12/2010 12:31:09 PM PDT

MANAGUA, Nicaragua—Former President Arnoldo Aleman accepted his party's nomination for president Sunday, setting up a likely showdown next year with his longtime political rival, current President Daniel Ortega.
The Liberal Constitutionalist Party that has long been dominated by Aleman and his allies gave him the nomination during a weekend convention.

Aleman is launching his candidacy as he emerges from legal problems that have haunted him for years.

A court in Panama this month dropped charges he had used bank accounts there to launder about $58 million allegedly stolen from Nicaraguan government coffers.

And in January, Nicaragua's Supreme Court overturned Aleman's conviction on money laundering charges stemming from his 1997-2001 term. An appeals court later reopened three cases against him that are still pending, however.

Aleman, 64, denies any wrongdoing.

More:
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_15498423