Jul.01, 2010, 07:06

During his trial in Paris for money laundering, Panama’s former dictator Manuel Antonio Noriega was accused by the judge of having a “selective memory.”

He took the stand to give his version of events that happened 20 years ago and gave an often rambling statement, but refused to answer direct questions posed to him about certain events, claiming that he was the victim of a conspiracy that led to his removal from office and imprisonment in the U.S.

He claimed he was not guilty of the charges against him, describing himself only as a "professional soldier" who tried to bring democracy to Panama.

When the president of the Tribunal hearing his case pressed him to explain the origin of the millions of dollars money he deposited in France, Noriega was so evasive that the he raised thet ire of the judge  who accused him of having a "selective memory."

Noriega claimed not to remember how the funds were moved between France and Panama, adding that it was most likely due to an American embargo placed against Panama. He relied on the phrase "I don't remember" a number of times during his testimony.

The prosection has called for a 10 year jail term and a $2.8 miilion fine, the same punishment handed out previously when he was tried in absentia while he rested in a US jail.The sentence will not likely be announved until September or October.