Noriega's attorneys ask U.S. return him to Panama
By Madeline Baró Diaz for Sun-Sentinel.com - Attorneys for former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega on Monday filed papers in Miami federal court requesting that the U.S. government return him to Panama when he completes his federal prison sentence rather than extradite him to France. Noriega, who ruled Panama for eight years and was convicted of drug trafficking in the United States, is scheduled to be released in September. Panama has said it wants him returned so he can begin serving prison time for two murder convictions. Last week, however, U.S. federal prosecutors filed papers to have Noriega extradited to France where he was convicted in absentia of using drug money for financial transactions. In papers filed Monday, Noriega's attorneys argued that he is a prisoner of war and as such is subject to protections of the Geneva Convention that call for him to be returned to his native Panama after he finishes serving his U.S. sentence. (more)
In 1989, the U.S. invaded Panama, forcing Noriega from power. In 1992 a Miami federal jury convicted him of protecting U.S.-bound Colombian cocaine shipments that went through Panama in the 1980s. Originally sentenced to 40 years, a judge later reduced the sentence by 10 years. He is being released early because of good behavior.
In Panama Noriega received two 20-year sentences for the deaths of two political opponents. Noriega plans to fight those charges when he returns to Panama, his attorney Frank Rubino said.
