Clear way for Manuel Noriega’s extradition to France, U.S. asks

The U.S. government is asking a Miami federal judge to clear the way for former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega to be extradited to France on money-laundering charges.

Prosecutors are asking U.S. District Judge Paul Huck to lift a stay blocking Noriega’s extradition now that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected Noriega’s appeals.

Noriega attorney Jon May said Tuesday he will ask the high court on Feb. 19 for a rehearing based on a dissent by Justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia. May says Noriega should not be extradited while that request is pending.

Noriega wanted to return to Panama after his sentence on U.S. drug charges ended in September 2007. Noriega claims as a prisoner of war he should be sent home.