Noriega Sentenced to Prison in France

(Paris, France) Former Panamanian military dictator Manuel Noriega, who completed 20 years in prison in the United States for drug crimes, has now been sentenced in France for laundering drug money in the 1980s.

A French court gave him seven years in prison.

The three-judge panel also ordered the seizure of 2.3 million euros ($2.89 million) that had been frozen in bank accounts under Noriega's name.

The prosecution argued that millions of dollars that passed through Noriega's French accounts during the late 1980s were kickbacks from the powerful Medellin cocaine cartel.

During three days of hearings, the former military strongman denied accepting the money from the cartel and said he had been framed by his one-time ally, the United States.

His lawyer, Yves Leberquier, told reporters after the sentencing that Noriega was "downhearted and surprised by this decision, which he can hardly comprehend."

Now 76, Noriega won't have much spry left when he is finally freed.