Panama's ex-dictator Noriega to have brain surgery

Jan. 24 (UPI) -- Panama's 2nd Criminal Court of the Supreme Court authorized house arrest for Manuel Antonio Noriega so the former dictator can undergo brain surgery to remove a benign tumor.

Noriega, 82, has been imprisoned since December 2011 on a 60-year sentence on an array of charges including murder, corruption and environmental crimes. He previously spent 21 years in prison in French and U.S. prisons for drug trafficking and money laundering.

Noriega will be moved out to serve house arrest prior to the surgery. Ezra Angel, Noriega's lawyer, argued Noriega should be allowed to prepare and recover at home. But the court on Monday ruled Noriega will return to prison once he has recuperated.

The former leader who ruled from 1983-89 was originally going to have the surgery last July but it was postponed because of his lawyers argued procedures before and after the operation were not adequately prepared.

Noriega has had multiple strokes, which caused urological and neurological issues. He undergoes medical examinations every two months.