Tim lawsonNoriega goes on trial in France for money laundering
July 2nd 2010 13:54
Ex- Panama dictator Manuel Noriega goes on trial in France. By Timothy Lawson Former Panamanian military dictator Manuel Noriega, 76, went on trial in Paris on Monday following his extradition to France in April this year. Noriega has been accused by France of laundering $3 million of Colombian drug money through French bank accounts during his reign as leader of Panama from 1983 through to 1989.
As General, from 1983 Noriega ran Panama with military control: up until he was deposed by the US armed forces when they invaded Panama in 1989. Noriega was detained as a prisoner of war and taken to the United States to await trial. In April 1992, Noriega was tried and convicted by a US court on a number of charges – including money laundering – relating to his cooperation with the Medellin drug cartel, a prominent criminal organisation which operated primarily throughout the 1980’s. Noriega helped the cartel, letting them ship large amounts of cocaine through Panama to the U S in return for financial compensation. Noriega, whom was contracted by the US Central Intelligence Service (CIA) in the 1950’s and worked with them up until the 1980’s, failed to succeed at arguing his crimes were part of his work for the CIA and was subsequently sentenced to 40 years in prison; this was later reduced to 30, of which Noriega served 17.
An article published at the time in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student newspaper The Tech made point that “the United States took the extraordinary step of invading a foreign country to bring its leader to trial.” The US-led invasion of Iraq, which occurred in 2003, has led to similar sentiments in regards to the deposition of former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. According to an article published on the Al Jazeera English website: “Monday’s trial comes more than a decade after a French court sentenced Noriega in absentia to 10 years in prison for laundering several million dollars in cocaine profits through three major French banks.” This occurred in June, 1999; Noriega and his wife were both sentenced to 10 years in prison and were fined $33 million for money laundering. Under French law, defendants convicted in absentia are entitled to a new trial.
Following the approval of France’s extradition request in April, current Panamanian President, Ricardo Martinelli, announced on Wednesday that Panama will request that after being tried in France, Noriega be extradited to his home country, where he faces a number of charges, including murder and human rights violations. This may happen if he is found not guilty by the French courts: if convicted in France, the extradition of Noriega to Panama could occur after serving time in a French prison. An American Free Press (AFP) article published in April this year quoted President Martinelli who stated: “Panama will present the extradition request in accordance with our laws, but it all depends on the French government.” Panamanian Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carlos Varela, said that Panama has no extradition treaty with France, but that Noriega’s extradition would be “viable” if called for by the courts. "We are not going to allow Noriega to spend one day not serving his sentence in Panama, after he serves his sentence in France," Varela told AFP reporters.
Noriega was convicted in absentia on murder charges in Panama in 1995, receiving a 20 year sentence: One of three 20-year sentences for human rights abuses according to an AFP article. Noriega’s legal team have appealed France’s extradition of the Panamanian strong-man on the grounds that the country will not honour his legal status as a POW. Noriega’s lawyers have appealed to the humanitarian organisation, the Red Cross, contending that their clients prison conditions were unsatisfactory because the prison was decrepit, the General was deprived of his uniform and his medals and that he was denied access to a Spanish-speaking doctor: They also pointed to the 76-year olds deteriorating health, making mention that he was partially paralysed by a stroke he suffered four years ago: reported Al Jazeera.
Noriega has also claimed to have found God, proclaiming himself a born-again Christian while awaiting his 1992 trial in the US. "I received Jesus Christ as my Saviour the 15th May of 1990 at 11 A.M.," Noriega was quoted as saying in a New York Times article. While awaiting his US trial, Noriega met with Clift Brannon a preacher and former attorney. After their visit Noriega wrote to Brannon saying: “On completing the spiritual sessions that you as a messenger of the Word of God brought to my heart, even to my area of confinement as Prisoner of War of the United States, I feel the necessity of adding something more to what I was able to say to you as we parted. The evening sessions of May 15 and 16 with you and Rudy Hernandez along with the Christian explanation and guidance were for me the first day of a dream, a revelation. I can tell you with great strength and inspiration that receiving our Lord Jesus Christ as Savior guided by you, was an emotional event. The hours flew by without my being aware. I could have desired that they continue forever, but there was no time nor space. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your human warmth, for your constant and permanent spiritual strength brought to bear on my mind and soul. – With great affection, Manuel A. Noriega.
It seems most likely that Noriega’s proclaimed spiritual enlightenment, old-age, deteriorating health and loss of his rank, medals and POW status, will not be sufficient enough to keep the ex-Dictator out of Prison in France. The French Legion of Honour recipient will most likely be stripped of this most prestigious award if convicted on money laundering charges in France.
As General, from 1983 Noriega ran Panama with military control: up until he was deposed by the US armed forces when they invaded Panama in 1989. Noriega was detained as a prisoner of war and taken to the United States to await trial. In April 1992, Noriega was tried and convicted by a US court on a number of charges – including money laundering – relating to his cooperation with the Medellin drug cartel, a prominent criminal organisation which operated primarily throughout the 1980’s. Noriega helped the cartel, letting them ship large amounts of cocaine through Panama to the U S in return for financial compensation. Noriega, whom was contracted by the US Central Intelligence Service (CIA) in the 1950’s and worked with them up until the 1980’s, failed to succeed at arguing his crimes were part of his work for the CIA and was subsequently sentenced to 40 years in prison; this was later reduced to 30, of which Noriega served 17.
An article published at the time in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) student newspaper The Tech made point that “the United States took the extraordinary step of invading a foreign country to bring its leader to trial.” The US-led invasion of Iraq, which occurred in 2003, has led to similar sentiments in regards to the deposition of former Iraqi leader, Saddam Hussein. According to an article published on the Al Jazeera English website: “Monday’s trial comes more than a decade after a French court sentenced Noriega in absentia to 10 years in prison for laundering several million dollars in cocaine profits through three major French banks.” This occurred in June, 1999; Noriega and his wife were both sentenced to 10 years in prison and were fined $33 million for money laundering. Under French law, defendants convicted in absentia are entitled to a new trial.
Following the approval of France’s extradition request in April, current Panamanian President, Ricardo Martinelli, announced on Wednesday that Panama will request that after being tried in France, Noriega be extradited to his home country, where he faces a number of charges, including murder and human rights violations. This may happen if he is found not guilty by the French courts: if convicted in France, the extradition of Noriega to Panama could occur after serving time in a French prison. An American Free Press (AFP) article published in April this year quoted President Martinelli who stated: “Panama will present the extradition request in accordance with our laws, but it all depends on the French government.” Panamanian Vice President and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carlos Varela, said that Panama has no extradition treaty with France, but that Noriega’s extradition would be “viable” if called for by the courts. "We are not going to allow Noriega to spend one day not serving his sentence in Panama, after he serves his sentence in France," Varela told AFP reporters.
Noriega was convicted in absentia on murder charges in Panama in 1995, receiving a 20 year sentence: One of three 20-year sentences for human rights abuses according to an AFP article. Noriega’s legal team have appealed France’s extradition of the Panamanian strong-man on the grounds that the country will not honour his legal status as a POW. Noriega’s lawyers have appealed to the humanitarian organisation, the Red Cross, contending that their clients prison conditions were unsatisfactory because the prison was decrepit, the General was deprived of his uniform and his medals and that he was denied access to a Spanish-speaking doctor: They also pointed to the 76-year olds deteriorating health, making mention that he was partially paralysed by a stroke he suffered four years ago: reported Al Jazeera.
Noriega has also claimed to have found God, proclaiming himself a born-again Christian while awaiting his 1992 trial in the US. "I received Jesus Christ as my Saviour the 15th May of 1990 at 11 A.M.," Noriega was quoted as saying in a New York Times article. While awaiting his US trial, Noriega met with Clift Brannon a preacher and former attorney. After their visit Noriega wrote to Brannon saying: “On completing the spiritual sessions that you as a messenger of the Word of God brought to my heart, even to my area of confinement as Prisoner of War of the United States, I feel the necessity of adding something more to what I was able to say to you as we parted. The evening sessions of May 15 and 16 with you and Rudy Hernandez along with the Christian explanation and guidance were for me the first day of a dream, a revelation. I can tell you with great strength and inspiration that receiving our Lord Jesus Christ as Savior guided by you, was an emotional event. The hours flew by without my being aware. I could have desired that they continue forever, but there was no time nor space. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your human warmth, for your constant and permanent spiritual strength brought to bear on my mind and soul. – With great affection, Manuel A. Noriega.
It seems most likely that Noriega’s proclaimed spiritual enlightenment, old-age, deteriorating health and loss of his rank, medals and POW status, will not be sufficient enough to keep the ex-Dictator out of Prison in France. The French Legion of Honour recipient will most likely be stripped of this most prestigious award if convicted on money laundering charges in France.
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