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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Noriega fails to stop extradition | Noriega fails to stop extradition |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A US judge has refused to block the extradition of ex-Panama leader Manuel Noriega to France, where he faces 10 years in prison for money laundering. | A US judge has refused to block the extradition of ex-Panama leader Manuel Noriega to France, where he faces 10 years in prison for money laundering. |
| A federal judge rejected arguments by Noriega's lawyers that his status as a US prisoner of war negated the request. | A federal judge rejected arguments by Noriega's lawyers that his status as a US prisoner of war negated the request. |
| Noriega, 72, is due to complete a 1992 prison term on drugs-trafficking and racketeering in Miami in September. | Noriega, 72, is due to complete a 1992 prison term on drugs-trafficking and racketeering in Miami in September. |
| His lawyer Frank Rubino said Noriega was "very disappointed, very displeased" about the verdict. | |
| Mr Rubino said: "He was hoping that the judge would have done the right thing and sent him back to Panama, his home country, and he's completely disappointed." | |
| Noriega was made a US prisoner of war after his arrest during the US invasion of Panama more than 17 years ago. | |
| He is due to appear before US magistrate William Turnoff on Tuesday when the French request for extradition is expected to progress. | |
| In a 12-page decision, judge William Hoeveler said Noriega's status was not meant "to shield him from all future prosecutions for serious crimes he is alleged to have committed". | In a 12-page decision, judge William Hoeveler said Noriega's status was not meant "to shield him from all future prosecutions for serious crimes he is alleged to have committed". |
| Noriega is to gain early release from a Florida prison for good behaviour in September, but a fight has begun over where he will be heading next. | Noriega is to gain early release from a Florida prison for good behaviour in September, but a fight has begun over where he will be heading next. |
| The French authorities want his extradition so that he can serve out a sentence on a 1999 money-laundering conviction obtained in absentia. | The French authorities want his extradition so that he can serve out a sentence on a 1999 money-laundering conviction obtained in absentia. |
| But Panama's President Martin Torrijos said he would like the former military leader returned to Panama to serve a sentence for the murder of a government opponent. | But Panama's President Martin Torrijos said he would like the former military leader returned to Panama to serve a sentence for the murder of a government opponent. |
| Stalwart supporter | Stalwart supporter |
| Manuel Noriega was once one of Washington's top allies in Latin America, with close ties to former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush Senior. | Manuel Noriega was once one of Washington's top allies in Latin America, with close ties to former Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Bush Senior. |
| The Panamanian military ruler was seen as a stalwart supporter in the fight against Communism and drugs-trafficking in the region. | The Panamanian military ruler was seen as a stalwart supporter in the fight against Communism and drugs-trafficking in the region. |
| However, in 1988 a Florida court charged Noriega with helping Colombian drugs-traffickers smuggle tons of cocaine into the US. | However, in 1988 a Florida court charged Noriega with helping Colombian drugs-traffickers smuggle tons of cocaine into the US. |
| The White House then added to that accusations of election-rigging and violating human rights. | The White House then added to that accusations of election-rigging and violating human rights. |
| That led to a US military incursion in 1989 in which hundreds of Panamanian civilians were killed, with some estimates saying as many as 4,000 died. | That led to a US military incursion in 1989 in which hundreds of Panamanian civilians were killed, with some estimates saying as many as 4,000 died. |