Noriega is Down to His Last Appeal

A federal judge yesterday lifted a stay he had placed earlier in the week on Noriega’s extradition to France. In his brief written opinion, Judge Hoeveler held that France’s agreement to give Noriega the same treatment as a POW that was provided by the U.S. is enough to satisfy any Geneva Convention concerns. In other words, France does not have to declare Noriega a POW, as long as it provides him with the same treatment. Noriega is making one more appeal, but I think this case is finally over.