Noriega Will Stay in French Prison

Manuel Antonio Noriega will remain in the Paris La Santé prison contrary to his wishes.

The French appeals courts denied his request for conditional freedom fearing that he would flee, although Noriega’s lawyers stressed that the former Panamanian strong man is now “old and sick.”

He is completing a seven-year sentence for laundering drug money but had hoped to stay in a friend’s Paris apartment until he could return home to spend time with his grandchildren.  Noriega also faces a 20-year sentence in Panama for ordering the decapitation of Hugo Spadafora 25-years ago.

As to Panama’s request for extradition, Vladimir Franco of Panama’s Foreign Ministy urged patience.

“The most we can do is send a diplomatic note asking France’s opinion, but it is important to be delicate with the sovereign decisions of that State.”