Panama City, Panama (dailynewyorknews) – The Panamanian authorities are preparing for the return of former dictator Manuel Noriega, who is scheduled to be extradited to France this weekend, the Foreign Minister of Panama.
Noriega, 77, will arrive on Sunday in Panama on a flight with Iberia, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
The authorities are preparing to increase security to ensure the safety of Noriega in jail, Foreign Minister, Roberto Henriquez, said Wednesday.
“We must be prepared for all possibilities in all aspects. Noriega inspire much emotion, and life could be at risk Noriega in Panama,” Henriquez said.
Calls for demonstrations against the former military dictator has already begun, said Henriquez.
“Noriega has friends who still follow him. But like most of the Panamanian people returned from their behavior. They are already mobilizing to Panama,” he said.
France has ordered the extradition of Noriega earlier this year in response to a request from the Panamanian government for the return of former dictator faces charges of killing a political rival.
Panamanian authorities want to face justice there is in the murder of Hugo Spadafora, a physician and a political opponent of Noriega. Noriega was convicted in absentia for his involvement in the kidnapping and murder of Spadafora in 1985.
Several steps remain before the extradition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama said in a statement Wednesday. Panama, the Attorney General will arrive in Paris on Thursday, and doctors carried out medical examination of Noriega Saturday, said the statement.
Panama justice officials determine if Noriega can stand trial, said Henriquez.
Last year a French court sentenced Noriega to seven years in prison for money laundering. He was also fined nearly $ 2.3 million (2.9 million), the amount of drug money, was accused of laundering through French banks.
Noriega denied the charges.
U.S. forces eliminates the office of former dictator during the invasion of Panama in 1989. Noriega had fled his office and tried to seek refuge in the Vatican embassy in Panama City.
U.S. Troops created around the compound key speakers, music blaring at all hours, a psychological ploy to undermine the general.
He visited in January 1990, and was quickly escorted to the United States for the civil trial.
The U.S. government Noriega has portrayed as the ultimate crooked cop – a man who paid millions of dollars for the drug cartel in Medellin, Colombia to protect cocaine and remittances.
He was convicted of drug trafficking and other crimes in the United States.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton opened the way for Noriega to be sent to France in April 2010 after spending 20 years in the U.S. federal prison.
Noriega and his lawyers have argued the U.S. violated the Geneva Conventions by not returning to Panama, where he was captured by U.S. troops after the U.S. invaded that country in 1989 in Operation Nifty Package. U.S. federal courts ruled against him.
Noriega Condemns U.S., initially for 30 years, was completed in September 2007 after the time for good behavior. However, remained in prison, while the issue of extradition of France was decided.
While in U.S. custody, Noriega suffered from prostate cancer and had a stroke.
Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/12/07/world/americas/panama-noriega-extradition/index.html?hpt=ila_c1
