[Al Jazeera] Panama's former President Ricardo Martinelli has been extradited to his homeland from the United States, where he has been held on charges of political espionage and corruption, one of his lawyers said.
Martinelli, who was president from 2009-2014, was transferred from the federal prison in Miami to the Opa Locka Executive Airport, where he was placed on a charter flight to Panama City at around 10:20 GMT.
A handcuffed Martinelli, escorted by US officers, greeted news hounds gathered at the airport.
"I'm ready to watch the World Cup!" he said, giving a thumbs-up. Panama qualified for the tournament, which begins on Thursday.
Martinelli was taken into custody near his home in the US state of Florida in June 2017 after Panama requested his extradition on charges that he used public money to spy on more than 150 political rivals during his 2009-2014 term. |