If you single-handedly strong-arm a country by robbing an election or two, serve as a double agent, get charged with multiple counts of drug trafficking, money laundering and racketeering, you could end up a prisoner of war, tried and convicted of several crimes and sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence. Just ask former career soldier and notorious narcokleptocrat, Manuel Noriega. Noriega, 74, was sentenced to 40 years in a U.S. prison for a mess of charges, thrown at him by U.S. officials in April 1992. Lucky for Noriega, the one-time de facto military leader of Panama, the sentence was reduced to 17 years. With his sentence completed, Noriega is far from a free man. It turns out the U.S. isn't the only country craving a piece of justice pie. France has requested Noriega's extradition. There, he's looking at a 10-year sentence. He also has a murder trial waiting for him in his native Panama. Ironically, Noriega wishes to return there.
I've heard of being wanted in multiple counties. But multiple countries? This is not your typical criminal record, which is why the federal court has its hands full. Under the Geneva Conventions - a set of treaties stating mandatory rules for war, non-combats and POWs that only foreign policy graduate students can thoroughly define - it's suggested that Noriega be returned to his native Panama.
U.S. authorities find this disputable. They're looking to send Noriega, the one-time CIA cooperative, to France where he's facing a 10-year sentence for (surprise, surprise) money laundering.
That is, if Noriega can maintain his health. He's suffered from stroke and was diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer during his tenure behind bars. The once agent, gone drug trafficker may be going over seas for more sentencing.
Manuel Noriega: from CIA to DEA to SOL
pmt - a real handful.
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