The US Supreme Court has refused to hear former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega's appeal against his extradition to France. The move clears the way for Noriega to be handed over to France to face money laundering charges.

Noriega was convicted by the United States on drug trafficking, racketeering and conspiracy charges and sentenced to 30 years in jail. His prison term was reduced to 17 years for good behaviour and he finished serving his sentence two years ago. He remained in US custody pending the outcome of his appeal against extradition. A French court convicted convicted him in absentia on money laundering charges and sentenced him to 10 years in jail in the 1990s.
 

He appealed against the extradition on the grounds that the US regarded him as a prisoner of war. The former dictator ruled Panama from 1984 until January 1992, when he surrendered to US troops who had invaded the country three weeks earlier.
 

Noriega wants to return to Panama but if he returns, it is highly likely that he will face prosecution for the 1985 murder of Hugo Spadafora, a political opponent.

Photograph: Manuel Noriega's mugshot; Wikimedia Commons