MIAMI -- Attorneys for imprisoned ex-Panamanian leader Manuel Noriega said Monday they asked a U.S. judge to halt his possible extradition to France.

Frank Rubino and Jon May told reporters in Miami they requested Noriega be sent back to Panama instead.

A French court convicted Noriega in absentia in 1999 on drug charges, imposing a 10-year prison sentence and fining him about $15 million.

Rubino and May said Monday they would fight the extradition using protections afforded by the Geneva Conventions since Noriega is a prisoner of war entitled to be repatriated after his internment.

Noriega is expected to be released from a U.S. prison in Miami Sept 9., having served about 15 years of a 30-year sentence.

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