US judge approves Noriega's extradition to France

MIAMI, Aug 28 (Reuters) A US judge today approved the extradition of former Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega to face money laundering charges in France when his long Florida prison sentence for drug smuggling ends next month.

The decision by Magistrate William Turnoff followed a separate court ruling last Friday rejecting arguments from Noriega's lawyers that his status as a ''prisoner of war'' under the Geneva Conventions meant he had to be immediately returned home when his US sentence ends on September 9.

''This court will issue a certificate of extraditability with respect to Gen. Manuel Antonio Noriega,'' Turnoff said at the end of a 30-minute hearing in Miami.

Turnoff said he would issue the extradition order tomorrow for the now 73-year-old Noriega, who was jailed in the United States almost two decades ago for drug smuggling and racketeering after he was captured by US forces following the 1989 invasion of Panama.

Noriega's attorneys have said previously they expect to appeal the French extradition request and believe he will end up staying in his US prison beyond his September 9 release date while the appeals take place.

The former Panamanian leader faces much more serious charges in Panama than in France. He has been convicted in absentia in his homeland for murder and human rights violations, including the 1985 beheading of Hugo Spadafora, an outspoken opponent.

But Noriega's attorneys say he wants to go home to clear his name there.

In addition, recent reforms of the penal code in Panama could mean that Noriega would serve the 20-year prison term awaiting him there under house arrest, because he is over 70 years old.

If convicted of money laundering in France, Noriega could face another 10 years in prison.

REUTERS MS RAI2239