Noriega flown home to fresh incarceration

Former military strongman Manuel Antonio Noriega was flown home to Panama yesterday to be punished once again for crimes he committed during a career that saw him transformed from a close Cold War ally of Washington to the vilified target of a US invasion.

Noriega left Orly airport, Paris, on a flight of Spain’s Iberia airlines, delivered directly to the aircraft by a four-car convoy and motorcycles that escorted him from La Sante prison.

The French Justice Ministry, in a one-line statement, said France turned Noriega over to Panamanian officials in accordance with extradition proceedings.

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Noriega’s return comes after more than 20 years in US and French prisons for drug trafficking and money laundering. Panama convicted him during his captivity overseas for killing two political opponents in the 1980s.

He was sentenced to 20 years in each case, and Panamanian officials say he will be sent straight to prison.