Noriega Extradition Approved

Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega could be headed to France where he faces a 10 year sentence for money laundering following a US federal court decision today. Noriega was found guilty in France in absentia and also faces charges in Panama for kidnapping, extortion and murder of political opponents. Noriega's lawyers appear to be fighting for Noriega to return to Panama because under Panamanian law most of the sentence he received would be served under house arrest due to his age. Noriega is scheduled to leave prison in Florida on September 9 after serving 17 1/2 years for racketeering in connection with accepting bribes to allow drugs bound for the US through Panama.