'Death merchant' extradition closer
Source: Agencies |
October 6, 2010, Wednesday
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Print Edition
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A THAI court yesterday dismissed a second case against alleged Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, dubbed the "Merchant of Death," removing a key legal obstacle to his long-awaited extradition to the United States.
The Bangkok Criminal Court's decision was the latest phase in a long-running legal battle that has put Thailand in the middle of a tug-of-war between Washington and Moscow, both of which are demanding Bout's hand-over.
The announcement of the ruling stunned Bout, who hugged his wife and then waded through the courtroom to his defense lawyer and said: "Something now. The appeal. We need to appeal."
Court officials told reporters the defense was not allowed to appeal. Only prosecutors who filed the charges on behalf of the US have the right to appeal within 72 hours. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said once the court process is finished he will have the final say in Bout's extradition.
Asked by reporters how he felt, Bout replied: "I don't know. I don't know what to say."
The 43-year-old Bout, who allegedly supplied weapons that fueled civil wars in South America, the Middle East and Africa, has been fighting extradition since his March 2008 arrest in Bangkok as part of a US-led sting operation.
A Thai Appeals Court gave its approval on August 20 for Bout's extradition to the US to face trial on four terrorism-related charges that could land him in prison for life. But the process stalled because Washington filed a second set of charges to ensure he wasn't set free. The US since tried to drop those charges.
Russia says Bout he is an innocent businessman and has demanded his return. Experts say Bout, a former Soviet air force officer, has knowledge of Russia's military and intelligence operations and that Moscow does not want him going on trial in the US.
The head of a lucrative air transport empire, Bout long evaded UN and US sanctions aimed at blocking his financial activities and restricting his travel. Bout's high-profile arrest was part of an elaborate sting in which US agents posed as arms buyers for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which Washington classifies as a terrorist organization.
The 2005 movie "Lord of War" starring Nicolas Cage is loosely based on Bout's life.
The Bangkok Criminal Court's decision was the latest phase in a long-running legal battle that has put Thailand in the middle of a tug-of-war between Washington and Moscow, both of which are demanding Bout's hand-over.
The announcement of the ruling stunned Bout, who hugged his wife and then waded through the courtroom to his defense lawyer and said: "Something now. The appeal. We need to appeal."
Court officials told reporters the defense was not allowed to appeal. Only prosecutors who filed the charges on behalf of the US have the right to appeal within 72 hours. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has said once the court process is finished he will have the final say in Bout's extradition.
Asked by reporters how he felt, Bout replied: "I don't know. I don't know what to say."
The 43-year-old Bout, who allegedly supplied weapons that fueled civil wars in South America, the Middle East and Africa, has been fighting extradition since his March 2008 arrest in Bangkok as part of a US-led sting operation.
A Thai Appeals Court gave its approval on August 20 for Bout's extradition to the US to face trial on four terrorism-related charges that could land him in prison for life. But the process stalled because Washington filed a second set of charges to ensure he wasn't set free. The US since tried to drop those charges.
Russia says Bout he is an innocent businessman and has demanded his return. Experts say Bout, a former Soviet air force officer, has knowledge of Russia's military and intelligence operations and that Moscow does not want him going on trial in the US.
The head of a lucrative air transport empire, Bout long evaded UN and US sanctions aimed at blocking his financial activities and restricting his travel. Bout's high-profile arrest was part of an elaborate sting in which US agents posed as arms buyers for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which Washington classifies as a terrorist organization.
The 2005 movie "Lord of War" starring Nicolas Cage is loosely based on Bout's life.
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