French court keeps Noriega behind bars pending money laundering trial
By APFriday, May 28, 2010
French court keeps Noriega behind bars
PARIS — A Paris appeals court has rejected former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega’s request to be freed from jail pending a French money laundering trial.
The court says there is a serious risk that Noriega could flee, justifying keeping him behind bars before the June 28-30 trial.
Noriega, hair slicked back and wearing his Legion of Honor award on his jacket, did not speak during Friday’s hearing. He cast frequent glances across the courtroom at his family members.
Noriega was extradited last month to France from the United States, where he spent 20 years in prison for drug trafficking.
He is accused in France of laundering cocaine profits.
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