Panama rejects Interpol request by judicial branch for former president Martinelli

PANAMA CITY (Reuters) -Panama's police said on Sunday they had rejected a request by the judiciary branch to seek a red notice by Interpol for former President Ricardo Martinelli, on the grounds that this is prohibited for refugees or political asylum seekers. Martinelli, who was president of the Central American nation from 2009 to 2014, has been living inside Nicaragua's embassy in Panama City since the country's government moved to arrest him after a court found him guilty of money laundering. On Thursday, a top Panamanian official said the government had approved safe passage for Martinelli to travel to Nicaragua, where he has received asylum.