Noriega ‘s early return a toss up

Against indications from French government  sources and the lawyers of Manuel Antonio Noriega, President Ricardo Martinelli  said Wednesday, June 8, that the former dictator will be back Panama in the near future.

Once back he will have to face  multiple  criminal charges.

 Martinelli says he  confident that the former strong man will pay for the crimes he committed while in power. "I think that Noriega will be here soon. I do not know what flight he will be arriving on, but he will come here and begin serving his sentences," he told La Prensa.

 Noriega was jailed in the United States after the 1989 U.S. invasion of Panama.

After serving 17  years he was extradited to France and sentenced to seven years for money laundering

Panama has sought his extraditon to  face murder charges.

French prosecutors  have said that they are waiting for the U.S. to approve the extradition request and  Noriega attorney Antonin Lévy said he is not sure the U.S. will sign off on the request.

He is concerned that the U.S. government will demand that Noriega serve the remainder of his sentence  and remain in a French prison until 2013.

 A hearing has been set for Sept. 7 for Panama's extradition request. Therequest is linked to the murder of trade unionist Heliodoro Portugal.