Tag Archives: panama-elderly

MEXICO CITY — Two decades after United States troops invaded Panama and arrested Manuel Noriega, the country’s dictator, Mr. Noriega left federal prison in Miami on Monday and was extradited to France. After the State Department authorized his extradition, Mr. Noriega was put on an Air France flight for Paris, said one of his lawyers, John May. Mr. Noriega had lost a court battle seeking to be returned to Panama after completing a federal prison term. In 1999, he was convicted in France in absentia of laundering more than $3 million in drug profits by buying luxury apartments there. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison. France has agreed to hold a new trial. Mr. Noriega was also convicted in Panama of ordering the murder of political opponents, as well as embezzlement and corruption. Despite the more serious charges there, Mr. Noriega, who is in his seventies, fought to return to Panama. Elderly prisoners there are permitted to serve prison terms at home. Go to article to finish reading story… By ELISABETH MALKIN Published: April 26, 2010 added by: BRAVATRAVELS