U.S. authorities arrested former Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli Monday in Florida on an extradition warrant from his country, where he is accused of political espionage and corruption. The former president was arrested near his home in Coral Gables, Florida. The former president from 2009-2014 has denied wrongdoing and contends the case is political persecution by his successor. In Panama, lawyers on Martinelli's defense team said the extradition process would proceed normally. Martinelli is also accused of corruption in Panama, but those cases have stalled in the courts.

Source: ABC News June 13, 2017 02:29 UTC