November 16, 2011

Should Noriega be Sent to Panama?

It is up to France to decide.

But Noriega may finally serve his sentence for murdering 3 people in Panama during his 6 year military dictatorship.

The United Staes has granted its approval for the extradition of the former Panamanian strongman Manuel Antonio Noriega to Panama.

Noreiga is currently serving a 7 year sentence for money laundering in France.   He was sentenced in France in July 2010.

Previously, he served 21 years in the United States for drug trafficking.

Noriega has never served time for the 3 murders he was convicted of during his term as a military dictator of Panama (1983-1989).

An extradition hearing to decide the matter will be held in France on November 23, 2011

The family of one of his victims is trying to block his extradiction.   They fear that Noriega will be sentenced to the relative comforts of a house arrest for his murders.  

Such a sentence is allowed in Panama  due to his advanced age and health condition, as allowed for under Panamanian law.

Noriega is currently 77 years old.

What do you think?  Should Noriega be extradited to Panama?

Put your thoughts in the comment form below – thanks!

The source of this story is Don Winner at  Panama-Guide.com