Panama's top court approves two new probes against ex-president Martinelli

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) - Panama's Supreme Court on Wednesday approved two new investigations against ex-president Ricardo Martinelli, adding to a growing list of corruption probes targeting the former president.In one of the new cases, Panama's stock market regulator asked for an investigation into whether Martinelli, through the brokerage firm Financial Pacific, was insider trading on shares of Canadian miner Petaquilla.The other investigation is related to an existing case, alleging that a company contracted by Martinelli's government was allegedly accepting bribes.The Supreme Court was pressured to "falsely accuse me," Martinelli tweeted on Wednesday.The multimillionaire supermarket tycoon, who left Panama in January, is facing a total of five probes now.Martinelli has denied wrongdoing, alleging that his successor and adversary, President Juan Carlos Varela, has gone after him for political reasons.(Reporting by Elida Moreno; Editing by Michael Perry)Join the conversation about this story
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