Former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega is tangled in an extradition mess . U.S. authorities believe that they can transfer prisoners of war like Noriega to other countries and plan to honor a request by France to extradite Noriega there to stand trial for money laundering . The former dictator was convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering charges in Panama but the U.S. government has refused to extradite him for more than a decade. Noriega completed his sentence 16 months ago but remains behind bars . France , Panama both want to prosecute Noriega .
Former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega is tangled in an extradition mess . The former dictator was convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering charges in Panama but the U.S. government has refused to extradite him for more than a decade. Noriega completed his sentence 16 months ago but remains behind bars . France , Panama both want to prosecute Noriega .