Manuel Noriega Deemed So Evil, U.S. Judge Recommends France As Punishment

Even though you may have heard about it last Friday, it’s only official today: a federal judge has ruled that ex-Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega (interpreted here by English actor Bob Hoskins) can be extradited to France once his 15-year stint in a Florida prison is up on September 9. Frenchie authorities want Noriega to face charges of laundering boatloads of drug money through Parisian banks and properties, including high-end apartments in the capital. (Ooh la la.) The ruling comes after a different judge rejected Noriega’s plea last week that he be returned to Panamá–presumably to prove old dictators can still exploit their countrymen, golden years be damned!–because that’s how a prisoner of war like him oughta be treated under a little something called the Geneva Conventions. After prosecutors shot holes in this argument (turns out POW’s with pending criminal charges have to, ya know, face them), the attorney representing Noriega went off, super-villain style:

Noriega’s lawyer Frank Rubino said he would likely appeal, but added that his client had not made the final decision on how to proceed. “I can assure this court and everyone else: You haven’t heard the end of this,” Rubino said.

Those on-hand say Rubino then let out a chilling, “Mwah! Ha! Ha! Ha!” Hand to God.

Judge OKs Noriega extradition to France [Houston Chronicle]
Image [IMDb]