ID :
145195
Thu, 10/07/2010 - 20:30
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http://m.oananews.org//node/145195
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Bout's extradition period to US could be extended
BANGKOK, Oct 7 - A senior Thai prosecutor on Thursday said the extension of the extradition proceedings of alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout depends on the court's consideration and that the existing extradition laws authorise prosecutors to seek court approval to extend the extradition period.
Sirisak Tiyapan, director-general of the International Affairs Department of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), made the remarks following concerns over the legal battle on Mr Bout's extradition which could be prolonged after the defendant appealed the latest court ruling which dismissed charges against him on money laundering and wire fraud.
Thailand's Criminal Court on Tuesday dropped the money laundering and fraud charges against Bout on grounds of insufficient evidence and said the defendant must be released within 72 hours unless the prosecutors wanted to appeal -- which could be done within 30 days.
The court also said the case must be based on the first ruling to extradite Mr Bout, a Russian businessman described as elusive by some and dubbed "The Merchant of Death" by others, to the US.
The Court of Appeals ruled on August 20 to extradite Mr Bout, arrested and detained in Bangkok since March 2008, to the US to face charges of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to kill officials and employees of the United States government, conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organisation.
The Appeals Court said the extradition must take place within 90 days, otherwise the defendant be released.
Mr Sirisak said if Mr Bout cannot be extradited to the US within November 20, the 1929 and 2008 extradition laws authorise a prosecutor, as plaintiff, to seek court approval to extend the extradition period as the laws do not specify the length of the extended period, saying it depends on the court's consideration.
"We will consider the matter again if we need to ask for extension period, but now we can't tell much thing as we have to see the court order on Mr Bout's appeal," said Mr Sirisak.
Meanwhile, Lak Nittiwattanawichan, Mr Bout's lawyer, said the judges are now considering the defendant's letter seeking to appeal the Tuesday's court decision. If they will not accept the request, he will also appeal the judges' decision.
Mr Lak said he has talked with his client in a prison and Bout did not show any sign of tension as he was confident he would be able to fight for his release.
Mr Bout asserted he did not do anything wrong and there is no reason to fear, said the lawyer.
Mr Lak reasoned that he and his client had already won the case twice; the first charges on arms trading in which the Thai court ruled not to extradite Mr Bout to the US, but the Appeals Court later overturned the verdict; and the latest court decision to dismiss second charges against Mr Bout on money laundering. (MCOT online news)
Sirisak Tiyapan, director-general of the International Affairs Department of the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), made the remarks following concerns over the legal battle on Mr Bout's extradition which could be prolonged after the defendant appealed the latest court ruling which dismissed charges against him on money laundering and wire fraud.
Thailand's Criminal Court on Tuesday dropped the money laundering and fraud charges against Bout on grounds of insufficient evidence and said the defendant must be released within 72 hours unless the prosecutors wanted to appeal -- which could be done within 30 days.
The court also said the case must be based on the first ruling to extradite Mr Bout, a Russian businessman described as elusive by some and dubbed "The Merchant of Death" by others, to the US.
The Court of Appeals ruled on August 20 to extradite Mr Bout, arrested and detained in Bangkok since March 2008, to the US to face charges of conspiracy to kill Americans, conspiracy to kill officials and employees of the United States government, conspiracy to acquire and use anti-aircraft missiles and conspiracy to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organisation.
The Appeals Court said the extradition must take place within 90 days, otherwise the defendant be released.
Mr Sirisak said if Mr Bout cannot be extradited to the US within November 20, the 1929 and 2008 extradition laws authorise a prosecutor, as plaintiff, to seek court approval to extend the extradition period as the laws do not specify the length of the extended period, saying it depends on the court's consideration.
"We will consider the matter again if we need to ask for extension period, but now we can't tell much thing as we have to see the court order on Mr Bout's appeal," said Mr Sirisak.
Meanwhile, Lak Nittiwattanawichan, Mr Bout's lawyer, said the judges are now considering the defendant's letter seeking to appeal the Tuesday's court decision. If they will not accept the request, he will also appeal the judges' decision.
Mr Lak said he has talked with his client in a prison and Bout did not show any sign of tension as he was confident he would be able to fight for his release.
Mr Bout asserted he did not do anything wrong and there is no reason to fear, said the lawyer.
Mr Lak reasoned that he and his client had already won the case twice; the first charges on arms trading in which the Thai court ruled not to extradite Mr Bout to the US, but the Appeals Court later overturned the verdict; and the latest court decision to dismiss second charges against Mr Bout on money laundering. (MCOT online news)
