ID :
139962
Mon, 08/30/2010 - 19:49
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http://m.oananews.org//node/139962
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Lawyer of alleged Russian arms dealer submits complaint letter to Thai PM
BANGKOK, Aug 30 - The lawyer of alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout on Monday submitted a letter to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, seeking justice for his client, saying he will fight the case with Thailand's extradition law.
Lak Nittiwattanawichan, Mr Bout's lawyer, handed the prime minister the letter at Government House, asking for protection and fair treatment for his client under the law for fear of danger to his life and freedom.
Special guards were requested to provide added security for Mr Bout. His lawyer also asked to meet Mr Abhisit to discuss the issue.
If the Thai court withdraws new charges concerning money laundering and wire fraud as requested by the US to speed up the process to extradite Mr Bout, Mr Lak said that he will refer to the 1929 extradition law, which requires any extradition to US must abide by a treaty and that documents can be submitted only once.
He said the US submitted document seeking extradition several times and he believes the action violates the agreement.
Thailand's Criminal Code, Article 125, specifies that a case cannot be filed into the court for indictment without questioning a suspect. But in Mr Bout’s case, he was not questioned before a prosecutor submitted his case to the court.
The 11-page hand-written letter was signed by Mr Bout.
Mr Abhisit on Friday said his government is awaiting a court decision on the second case of the alleged Russian arms dealer before making any final decision on his extradition to the US.
The Thai Court of Appeals ruled on August 20 to extradite Mr Bout, dubbed 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 organisation.
The ruling of the Thai Court of Appeals to extradite Mr Bout overturned an earlier lower court ruling in August 2009 that rejected a US request that the suspect face trial there.
Meanwhile, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, said on Monday that the ministry invited Russian and American diplomats for clarifications over the alleged Russian arms dealer case last Thursday.
Mr Chavanond said the Thai foreign ministry reaffirmed to diplomats from bothy countries that Thailand is strictly adhering to the rule of law and the Thai government has never interfered with the judicial system for any political gain.
The secretary added that the ministry expressed hope that the United States and Russia will not put Thailand in a difficult position to be adversely affected by the case, while reassuring them that Thailand always bears in mind its relationships with both countries.
"I understand that both Russia and United States have discussed about the solution of Mr Bout's case and Thailand has strictly adhered to the law," said Mr Chavanond.
The foreign minister's secretary added that the Russian ambassador has asked the ministry about the process and period of the extradition, while Thailand has asked Russia not to misunderstand the kingdom's move.
In the latest development, Sirisak Tiyapan, director-general of the International Affairs Department of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), said on Monday that Attorney-General Chulasing Wasantasing has received a letter from the foreign ministry seeking details on process and extradition law.
Mr Sirisak said the OAG will have to look into details of the letter before considering and giving opinions on the case, adding that no progress has been made regarding the US request to withdraw the money laundering charges against Mr Bout. (MCOT online news)
Lak Nittiwattanawichan, Mr Bout's lawyer, handed the prime minister the letter at Government House, asking for protection and fair treatment for his client under the law for fear of danger to his life and freedom.
Special guards were requested to provide added security for Mr Bout. His lawyer also asked to meet Mr Abhisit to discuss the issue.
If the Thai court withdraws new charges concerning money laundering and wire fraud as requested by the US to speed up the process to extradite Mr Bout, Mr Lak said that he will refer to the 1929 extradition law, which requires any extradition to US must abide by a treaty and that documents can be submitted only once.
He said the US submitted document seeking extradition several times and he believes the action violates the agreement.
Thailand's Criminal Code, Article 125, specifies that a case cannot be filed into the court for indictment without questioning a suspect. But in Mr Bout’s case, he was not questioned before a prosecutor submitted his case to the court.
The 11-page hand-written letter was signed by Mr Bout.
Mr Abhisit on Friday said his government is awaiting a court decision on the second case of the alleged Russian arms dealer before making any final decision on his extradition to the US.
The Thai Court of Appeals ruled on August 20 to extradite Mr Bout, dubbed 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 organisation.
The ruling of the Thai Court of Appeals to extradite Mr Bout overturned an earlier lower court ruling in August 2009 that rejected a US request that the suspect face trial there.
Meanwhile, Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thailand's Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, said on Monday that the ministry invited Russian and American diplomats for clarifications over the alleged Russian arms dealer case last Thursday.
Mr Chavanond said the Thai foreign ministry reaffirmed to diplomats from bothy countries that Thailand is strictly adhering to the rule of law and the Thai government has never interfered with the judicial system for any political gain.
The secretary added that the ministry expressed hope that the United States and Russia will not put Thailand in a difficult position to be adversely affected by the case, while reassuring them that Thailand always bears in mind its relationships with both countries.
"I understand that both Russia and United States have discussed about the solution of Mr Bout's case and Thailand has strictly adhered to the law," said Mr Chavanond.
The foreign minister's secretary added that the Russian ambassador has asked the ministry about the process and period of the extradition, while Thailand has asked Russia not to misunderstand the kingdom's move.
In the latest development, Sirisak Tiyapan, director-general of the International Affairs Department of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), said on Monday that Attorney-General Chulasing Wasantasing has received a letter from the foreign ministry seeking details on process and extradition law.
Mr Sirisak said the OAG will have to look into details of the letter before considering and giving opinions on the case, adding that no progress has been made regarding the US request to withdraw the money laundering charges against Mr Bout. (MCOT online news)
