Former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega, serving a 20-year jail sentence in Panama, was hospitalised yesterday for what authorities say was a routine check-up though his attorney says he has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
“He will undergo several routine exams,” Angel Calderon, head of Panama’s jail system said, adding that Noriega suffered a bout of flu last week. But the former strongman’s lawyer said Noriega’s health had deteriorated due to poor treatment in jail for flu and fever, and a brain tumor recently detected by his doctors.
“His health is getting worse, but our request to keep him in hospital has been delayed,” lawyer Julio Berrios said.
– (Reuters)