ID :
140492
Thu, 09/02/2010 - 19:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/140492
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Attorney-General drops new charges against alleged Russian arms dealer
BANGKOK, Sept 2 - Thailand's Office of the Attorney-General (OAG) on Thursday drop the new charges against alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout as sought by the United States and forwarded the request to the criminal court for its final decision whether to withdraw the charges.
Pol Lt Sophon Kasempiboonchai, prosecutor for the OAG International Affairs Department, submitted the case withdrawal request to the Thai court as asked by the US so that the alleged arms dealer will be extradited to stand trial in 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 American officers and employees, conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organisation.
The Thai authorities however could not immediately extradite Mr Bout as he is facing additional charges of money laundering and wire fraud.
The US government then requested the Thai Foreign Ministry to withdraw the new charges in order to start the extradition. The American letter was later forwarded to the OAG for its consideration.
The OAG request to the Criminal Court on Thursday said that to proceed the extradition as soon as possible, there is no reason to carry out legal procedures on money laundering charges as the Thai Court of Appeals has already ruled to extradite Mr Bout.
The Attorney-General, as the central coordinator, therefore resolved to drop the charges and urged the court to consider withdrawing the new charges, according to the request. The court has received the OAG request for consideration. (MCOT online news)
Pol Lt Sophon Kasempiboonchai, prosecutor for the OAG International Affairs Department, submitted the case withdrawal request to the Thai court as asked by the US so that the alleged arms dealer will be extradited to stand trial in 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 American officers and employees, conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organisation.
The Thai authorities however could not immediately extradite Mr Bout as he is facing additional charges of money laundering and wire fraud.
The US government then requested the Thai Foreign Ministry to withdraw the new charges in order to start the extradition. The American letter was later forwarded to the OAG for its consideration.
The OAG request to the Criminal Court on Thursday said that to proceed the extradition as soon as possible, there is no reason to carry out legal procedures on money laundering charges as the Thai Court of Appeals has already ruled to extradite Mr Bout.
The Attorney-General, as the central coordinator, therefore resolved to drop the charges and urged the court to consider withdrawing the new charges, according to the request. The court has received the OAG request for consideration. (MCOT online news)
