Via the BBC: Noriega fights France extradition

Lawyers for the former military ruler of Panama, Manuel Noriega, are filing a motion in a US court to block his possible extradition to France.

Noriega is due to complete his jail term on drugs-trafficking and racketeering in Miami in September.

France has asked the US to send him there to complete a separate sentence on a money-laundering conviction.

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General Noriega’s lawyers claim it is all part of an agreement backed by Panama to prevent him from returning home, where he still enjoys a certain degree of support.

There is no denying that a reappearance on the Panamanian political landscape by General Noriega could cause a certain level of embarrassment.

However, President Martin Torrijos denies allegations of a secret deal with France, saying he would like the former military strongman returned to Panama to serve a sentence for the murder of a government opponent.

So it would seem that the list of options aren’t too swift for Noriega. Although one would think that he might be able to drum up political support in Panama should he return home. Of course, by the same token it has been quite a while since he was a power player in Panama.