POW Noriega to remain in jail until his trial

While the Paris courts have recognized the status of former Panama dictator, Manuel Antonio Noriega, as a Prisoner of War, he will remain in jail, and his trial on money laundering charges will still go ahead.

The Paris Correctional Court rejected his request for  release while acknowledging his status of prisoner of war and  a former head of state.

 Noriega will remain in jail at least until his trial against him, scheduled  from  June 28 to 30. 

"The risks of leakage are important" given that Noriega was convicted in absentia in Paris in 1999 to ten years in prison, and the United States (U.S.) had agreed to his extradition to France,  said the presiding judge, Christophe Vancandare.

According to an EFE message , Noriega, arrived at the hearing in a chair carried by escorting police officers, but stood up when asked, and attacked "the United States, the world’s policeman, responsible, in his view, for him appearing before a French court.

The, former strongman, convicted in Panama onmurder charges,and facing another murder trial next month, showed a willingness to "collaborate" with the president of the court, and wished "that God Almighty give you the spirit and the wisdom to judge this case."

The fact that he was head of state for nine months, as he tacitly acknowledged to the international community at that time, does not absolve him from being charged with laundering drug money.

 This means that the acts for which he is condemned are "separated from his duties as head of state," said Vancandare. Noriega’s lawyers immediately announced they will appeal.

The court found it "obvious" that the former strongman of Panama has the status of prisoner of war, which could have consequences for his conditions of detention.

Noriega will be visited by a Spanish speaking doctor next Wednesday in his cell in La Santé, prison through arrangements made by the International Red Cross.