.Bout unaware of Thai's further moves in extradition procedure.

25/8 Tass 68

BANGKOK, August 25 (Itar-Tass) - Russian citizen Viktor Bout said he
has no idea what further actions Thailand's authorities might take in the
procedure to extradite him to the United States, Bout's wife Alla told
Itar-Tass.
"Viktor is still in a single cell, and three guards in bullet-proof
vests accompanied me there for a meeting with my husband," she said.
The prison administration explained the incarceration conditions by
the consideration for the businessman's personal safety. Bout did not know
that his extradition was expected on Tuesday night. In addition, he
commented on the Thai reports on his meeting with representative of the
ruling Democratic Party Sirichoke Sobha.
"I'm very much surprised that this meeting caused such a stir in the
press. Indeed, we had a meeting during Songkran (Thailand's New Year Day -
celebrated in mid-April - eds Itar-Tass); at this meeting he raised the
issue of former Prime Minister Thaksin Chinawat, who is in disfavor," Alla
quoted her husband as saying.
She said her husband had not given details of the meeting, but said
"it is becoming clear now that my case is political."
Bout's lawyer Lak Nitiwatanavichan said there are no legal reasons yet
to extradite the Russian, the court has already begun to review a new U.S.
case against him, and the lawyer intends to find out at what stage the
review is now.
According to the lawyer, he has "new ideas to protect the
businessman's interests."
Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Bout would not
be extradited to the USA on Wednesday. A Thai court is reviewing the new
U.S. charges against him, he said.
Bout is kept in Thailand's Bangkwang prison. His wife All and his
lawyer have permission to visit him.
Dozens of reporters spent the Tuesday night near the prison as they
expected the beginning of the extradition.
On Wednesday morning, Bout's lawyer Lak Nitiwatanavichan said "neither
the Prosecutor General's Office, nor the Department of Corrections nor the
Foreign Ministry have not presented the extradition documents."
"My client is under investigation now in connection with the new
charges brought against him, therefore he cannot be extradited," the
lawyer underlined, "anyone who sanctions his extradition until the charges
are officially revoked, will come before the law; I'll see it to it."
Thailand's court of appeals met the U.S. extradition request on August
20. The USA accuses the Russian businessman of illegal supplies of arms
and fraud. The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the Thai court's
verdict as "illegitimate and passed under external pressure."
The cumulative punishment in the USA for Bout's offences is life in
prison.
Bout earlier said "even in case of his extradition to the United
States - the worst thing that can happen - I will fully rely on Russia's
support."
"I will not talk with the Americans without representatives of the
Russian Embassy," Viktor Bout underlined.
"If I'm extradited, I'll be defending myself, stand up for my
interests. I'm hoping for Russia's support; our country must not tolerate
this lawlessness and outrage with respect to its citizens. The Americans
should long be put in their place; and this concerns not only me, but
thousands of fates. It all became possible because of a bribe, and
economic and political pressure," he added.
-0-myz/gor


Delete & Prev | Delete & Next