Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They
AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e
BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German
Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who
By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Alleged arms smuggler Bout testifies in Thailand
By MICHAEL CASEY,Associated Press Writer AP - 2 hours 15 minutes ago
BANGKOK, Thailand - Alleged arms smuggler Viktor Bout took the stand Monday for the first time to fight his extradition to the United States and deny charges that he conspired to arm Colombian rebels.
The United States is seeking the extradition of Bout, who was arrested in the Thai capital in a sting operation in which undercover U.S. agents posed as Latin American rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
"I didn't do anything wrong in Thailand. I have never been to Colombia or the United States," Bout, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, told the court at the start of his testimony.
Dubbed the "Merchant of Death," the 41-year-old Russian has since been indicted in the U.S. on four terrorism-related charges. He was arrested in March and has remained behind bars in Bangkok ever since.
Bout, who denies any involvement in illicit activities, was purportedly the model for the arms dealer portrayed by Nicolas Cage in the 2005 movie "Lord of War."
According to reports by U.N. agencies and several Western governments, Bout has delivered arms to dictators and warlords in Africa and Afghanistan, allegedly breaking several U.N. arms embargoes in the process.
His extradition hearing started in June but has been repeatedly delayed, with a revolving door of defense attorneys.
Bangkok's Criminal Court has said it expects the hearing to wrap up Wednesday but one of Bout's defense attorneys, Preecha Prasertsak, said he planned to seek an extension to locate more witnesses.
At an earlier hearing, an agent of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration testified that his agency set up the operation that lured Bout from Russia to his arrest in the Thai capital.
DEA agent Robert Zachariasiewicz told the court that Bout faces U.S. charges of conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to kill U.S. officers or employees, conspiring to provide material support to terrorists and conspiring to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile. He could face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
The original arrest warrant issued in Thailand was based on a charge of using the country as a base to negotiate a weapons deal with terrorists. But that charge was dropped in April and a second arrest warrant issued asking for his extradition to the United States.
Prosecutor Sanchai Krungkanjana has said the first arrest warrant had been dropped because "there was insufficient evidence in Thailand" but there was enough evidence in the U.S. to approve Bout's extradition.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Japan asked US prepare for nuclear strike on China: archivesAFP - 20 minutes ago
Indian doctor hopes Australian terror probe will vindicate him: lawyerAFP - 32 minutes ago
8 suspected robbers killed in PhilippinesAP - 36 minutes ago
Suspected US Missile strike kills 7 in PakistanAP - 37 minutes ago
Japan in '65 sought US nuclear shield versus ChinaAP - 42 minutes ago
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Global economy seen sinking into 'severe' 2009 recession: report
Let poor eat caviar: Milan authorities
New Year's hangover? Take two eels and call me in the morning
Actress Jennifer Aniston appears naked in GQ magazine
Putin warns against any attempt to destabilize Russia
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular