Noriega still trying to dodge trip to France

Panama’s former military dictator is still trying do avoid a trip to face criminal charges in France, which could lead him to spending his remaining years in a French Jail.

Manuel Noriega asked the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its decision not to hear his case opposing extradition to France where he is accused of money laundering.

Noriega’s lawyers filed the appeal Friday based on the dissent of Justice Clarence Thomas, who argued in January that the high court should accept the Noriega case.

A federal judge in Miami declared Noriega a POW after he was convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.

Given that status, Noriega argued that under the Geneva Convention he should have been repatriated to Panama after serving his sentence in September 2007.

The courts rejected that argument and Noriega remains in jail in Miami.
The previous Panamanian government, many of whose members had served in the Noriega years, did little to aid him in his attempt to return to a country where he faces a long prison sentence, but would be closer to his family