ID :
139562
Fri, 08/27/2010 - 21:37
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http://m.oananews.org//node/139562
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Thai PM: alleged Russian arms dealer's extradition pending 2nd court case
BANGKOK, Aug 27 - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said his government is awaiting a court decision on the second case of alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout before making any final decision on his extradition to the US which asked Thailand to facilitate the transfer.
The premier said the Appeals Court's decision on the first case of Mr Bout had already concluded and the US government officially requested through the Thai Foreign Ministry to withdraw the second case.
Mr Abhisit however said the case now rests with the public prosecutors and the court, adding that the court may have to listen to the accused regarding whether or not he wanted the additional charges to be dropped.
Mr Bout is facing the second case concerning money laundering and wire fraud charges which has been accepted by the Court of First Instance and the US government has submitted a request that these charges be withdrawn in order to start the extradition.
The Thai prime minister said the second case would also be under the court's discretion, if the court does not allow the case to be withdrawn, Mr Bout would have to be in Thailand until the legal procedures finish.
The foreign ministry has received the US government's request to withdraw the second case with the first hearing set for October 4, he said.
"At the moment, the government will not decide whether Mr Bout should be extradited or not as it has to wait for the legal process to be complete," Mr Abhisit said.
The government would take into account the court's decision, he added.
Regarding a petition by Mr Bout's lawyer asking the government not to extradite his client to the US, the prime minister said his rationale must be considered before any final decision would be made by the executive branch which he hoped both the US and Russia would understand.
The premier conceded the government was concerned in handling the case as both countries were friends of Thailand. Therefore, the government would handle the case to its best based on facts.
The Thai Court of Appeals ruled on August 20 to extradite Mr Bout, dubbed as the 'Merchant of Death', to the US to face charges of conspiracy to kill US nationals, conspiracy to kill officers and employees of the US, conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.
The ruling of the Thai Court of Appeals to extradite Mr Bout overturned a lower court's ruling in August 2009 that rejected a US request that Mr Bout face trial there. (MCOT online news)
The premier said the Appeals Court's decision on the first case of Mr Bout had already concluded and the US government officially requested through the Thai Foreign Ministry to withdraw the second case.
Mr Abhisit however said the case now rests with the public prosecutors and the court, adding that the court may have to listen to the accused regarding whether or not he wanted the additional charges to be dropped.
Mr Bout is facing the second case concerning money laundering and wire fraud charges which has been accepted by the Court of First Instance and the US government has submitted a request that these charges be withdrawn in order to start the extradition.
The Thai prime minister said the second case would also be under the court's discretion, if the court does not allow the case to be withdrawn, Mr Bout would have to be in Thailand until the legal procedures finish.
The foreign ministry has received the US government's request to withdraw the second case with the first hearing set for October 4, he said.
"At the moment, the government will not decide whether Mr Bout should be extradited or not as it has to wait for the legal process to be complete," Mr Abhisit said.
The government would take into account the court's decision, he added.
Regarding a petition by Mr Bout's lawyer asking the government not to extradite his client to the US, the prime minister said his rationale must be considered before any final decision would be made by the executive branch which he hoped both the US and Russia would understand.
The premier conceded the government was concerned in handling the case as both countries were friends of Thailand. Therefore, the government would handle the case to its best based on facts.
The Thai Court of Appeals ruled on August 20 to extradite Mr Bout, dubbed as the 'Merchant of Death', to the US to face charges of conspiracy to kill US nationals, conspiracy to kill officers and employees of the US, conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization.
The ruling of the Thai Court of Appeals to extradite Mr Bout overturned a lower court's ruling in August 2009 that rejected a US request that Mr Bout face trial there. (MCOT online news)
