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Ex-ruler Noriega heads for Panama to serve jail terms | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Panama's jailed ex-ruler Manuel Noriega is returning to his homeland following extradition from France. | |
He took off from Paris' Orly airport early on Sunday morning, transferring at Madrid's Barajas airport to a flight to Panama City. | |
He is expected to be taken to prison once he arrives in Panama, having been convicted in absentia of crimes during his 1983-89 rule. | |
The 77-year-old has already spent more than 20 years in French and US prisons. | The 77-year-old has already spent more than 20 years in French and US prisons. |
Last month, a French court approved a request from Panama to send him back home to be jailed over his convictions for murder, corruption and embezzlement. | Last month, a French court approved a request from Panama to send him back home to be jailed over his convictions for murder, corruption and embezzlement. |
He had the right to appeal, but his lawyers said he wanted to return to Panama. | He had the right to appeal, but his lawyers said he wanted to return to Panama. |
Foreign Minister Roberto Henriquez has said the government's priority is to guarantee Noriega's safety. | Foreign Minister Roberto Henriquez has said the government's priority is to guarantee Noriega's safety. |
Noriega is believed to be travelling with a team of Panamanian officials, including the country's attorney-general and a doctor. | Noriega is believed to be travelling with a team of Panamanian officials, including the country's attorney-general and a doctor. |
His critics have called on Panamanians to take to the streets upon his return later on Sunday to show their condemnation of the former dictator. | His critics have called on Panamanians to take to the streets upon his return later on Sunday to show their condemnation of the former dictator. |
Murder of opponents | Murder of opponents |
Although he was never president, General Manuel Noriega served as Panama's de facto leader between 1983 to 1989. | Although he was never president, General Manuel Noriega served as Panama's de facto leader between 1983 to 1989. |
Once a US ally, he was arrested by invading American troops in January 1990, amid allegations he had turned the Central American nation into a drug-trafficking hub. | Once a US ally, he was arrested by invading American troops in January 1990, amid allegations he had turned the Central American nation into a drug-trafficking hub. |
He spent 20 years in prison in the US after being convicted there of the charges. | He spent 20 years in prison in the US after being convicted there of the charges. |
In 2010, he was extradited from the US to France, where he had been convicted in absentia of laundering money from Colombian drug gangs through a French bank to buy property in Paris. | In 2010, he was extradited from the US to France, where he had been convicted in absentia of laundering money from Colombian drug gangs through a French bank to buy property in Paris. |
He received a seven-year jail sentence from the French court. | He received a seven-year jail sentence from the French court. |
In Panama itself, he faces three 20-year jail terms for crimes committed during his rule, including the murders of political opponents. | In Panama itself, he faces three 20-year jail terms for crimes committed during his rule, including the murders of political opponents. |
Upon his arrival in Panama City, Noriega is expected to be taken by helicopter to El Renacer prison, north-west of the capital and close to the Panama Canal. | Upon his arrival in Panama City, Noriega is expected to be taken by helicopter to El Renacer prison, north-west of the capital and close to the Panama Canal. |
However it remains unclear whether he will remain there, as Panama allows people aged 70 years and above to serve their sentences at home. | However it remains unclear whether he will remain there, as Panama allows people aged 70 years and above to serve their sentences at home. |