ID :
138551
Fri, 08/20/2010 - 14:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/138551
The shortlink copeid
Thailand moves to extradite ‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout to US
BANGKOK, Aug 20 – An alleged Russian arms dealer, so-called ‘Merchant of Death’ Viktor Bout, jailed for nearly two-and-a-half years in Bangkok after his arrest in a US-led sting operation in March 2008, will appeal today’s ruling by a Thai appeals court reversing a lower court decision made one year ago to not extradite him to the United States to face prosecution as a terrorist.
In an highly emotional courtroom scene, Mr Bout’s lawyer stood by his client and his family promising to appeal to Their Majesties the King and Queen and other Thai authorities to reject the decision.
With international media suggesting that the US government has leaned heavily on the Thai government and courts to find for a criminal rather than a political ruling, the appeals court said the case was not political and that extradition under an existing Thai-US treaty could be granted.
One year ago Bangkok Criminal Court rejected the extradition bid by the United States, saying that in Thailand’s understanding that Mr Bout’s alleged attempted sale of US$700 million in arms to Colombian rebels was not political, but clearly a criminal case.
Overturning the lower court ruling, Thailand’s appeals court ruled that Mr Bout should go to New York City to face criminal charges within three months under the terms of Thailand’s extradition legislation.
With his wife and daughter looking on the detainee, shackled in leg irons, wept as he heard the verdict, resulting from US agents posing as Colombian rebels arranged to buy arms for their war against their central government.
Mr Bout is alleged to have supplied arms to numerous civil wars in Africa, South America and other place during a colourful career which began after the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
A retired Soviet air force pilot, Mr Bout reputedly speaks six languages and has operated air transport services and sold aircraft acquired through extensive connections and specialised knowledge of military weaponry. (MCOT online news, agencies)
In an highly emotional courtroom scene, Mr Bout’s lawyer stood by his client and his family promising to appeal to Their Majesties the King and Queen and other Thai authorities to reject the decision.
With international media suggesting that the US government has leaned heavily on the Thai government and courts to find for a criminal rather than a political ruling, the appeals court said the case was not political and that extradition under an existing Thai-US treaty could be granted.
One year ago Bangkok Criminal Court rejected the extradition bid by the United States, saying that in Thailand’s understanding that Mr Bout’s alleged attempted sale of US$700 million in arms to Colombian rebels was not political, but clearly a criminal case.
Overturning the lower court ruling, Thailand’s appeals court ruled that Mr Bout should go to New York City to face criminal charges within three months under the terms of Thailand’s extradition legislation.
With his wife and daughter looking on the detainee, shackled in leg irons, wept as he heard the verdict, resulting from US agents posing as Colombian rebels arranged to buy arms for their war against their central government.
Mr Bout is alleged to have supplied arms to numerous civil wars in Africa, South America and other place during a colourful career which began after the collapse of the former Soviet Union.
A retired Soviet air force pilot, Mr Bout reputedly speaks six languages and has operated air transport services and sold aircraft acquired through extensive connections and specialised knowledge of military weaponry. (MCOT online news, agencies)
