Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
Thais rule to extradite Russian arms suspect to US  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
 
 
 
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thais rule to extradite Russian arms suspect to US
 
 
  
 
 By KINAN SUCHAOVANICH,Associated Press Writer -
 Friday, August 20
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BANGKOK – A Thai appeals court on Friday ordered the extradition of suspected Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout to the United States, angering Moscow but paving the way to put the man dubbed the "Merchant of Death" on trial.
 
Shackled in leg irons, Bout vowed to prove his innocence in an American courtroom.
 
"We will face the trial in the United States and win it," Bout told reporters in Russian after the verdict, according to Russia's RIA Novosti news agency.
 
The court ordered Bout's extradition within three months, overturning a lower court's ruling in August 2009 that rejected a U.S. request that he face trial there. No further judicial appeals are possible in Thailand.
 
The ruling is a victory for the Obama administration, which summoned the Thai ambassador in Washington this week to emphasize the importance it placed on the case.
 
U.S. Acting Deputy Attorney General Gary Grindler said Washington was "extremely pleased" with the ruling.
 
"The prosecution of Viktor Bout is of utmost priority to the United States," Grindler said in a statement, adding his case is of international concern. "He has been sanctioned by the United Nations for alleged arms trafficking activity and support of armed conflicts in Africa."
 
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called the court decision "unlawful and political." Without mentioning the United States, he said the ruling was influenced by "very strong outside pressure."
 
"I assure you that we will continue to do everything necessary to push for his return to his homeland," the foreign minister said.
 
Experts say Bout has been useful for Russia's intelligence apparatus, and Moscow does not want him going on trial in the United States.
 
Bout, a 43-year-old former Soviet air force officer, is reputed to be one of the world's most prolific arms dealers. He has allegedly supplied weapons that fueled civil wars in South America, the Middle East and Africa, with clients including Liberia's Charles Taylor and Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi and both sides of the civil war in Angola.
 
The head of a lucrative air transport empire, Bout has long evaded U.N. and U.S. sanctions aimed at blocking his financial activities and restricting his travel. He has denied any involvement in illicit activities and claims he ran a legitimate business.
 
The 2005 Nicolas Cage film, "Lord of War," is loosely based on Bout's life.
 
Bout's nickname arose from his 1990s-era notoriety for running a fleet of aging Soviet-era cargo planes to conflict-ridden hotspots in Africa. A high-ranking minister at Britain's Foreign Office first used it in 2000 to single out Bout for his alleged arms role in Africa.
 
Dressed in an orange prison uniform, Bout stood after the verdict was announced. Tears welled in his eyes as he hugged his wife and daughter, who wept. He was led out of the courtroom and back to a Bangkok prison where court officials said he would remain until the extradition is processed.
 
"This is the most unfair decision possible," his wife, Alla Bout, told reporters, speaking in Russian through a translator. "It is known the world over that this is a political case."
 
Bout's arrest by Thai authorities in March 2008 landed Bout in prison for the first time and set off a legal tug-of-war between the U.S. and Russia.
 
Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent Moscow-based military analyst, called Bout a "prize catch" for Washington and an embarrassment for Moscow.
 
"The activities he was performing involved a lot of Russian government officials. The information he has, many parties want to keep under wraps," Felgenhauer said.
 
The U.S. could secure key military intelligence not only on Russia but on other former Soviet states where Bout operated, he said, adding if Bout were to accept a plea bargain, "He could really start to sing."
 
Bout's arrest at a Bangkok luxury hotel was part of an elaborate sting in which U.S. agents posed as arms buyers for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which Washington classifies as a terrorist organization.
 
Bout was subsequently indicted in the U.S. on four terrorism-related charges that include conspiring to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to FARC, including more than 700 surface-to-air missiles, thousands of guns, high-tech helicopters and airplanes outfitted with grenade launchers and missiles.
 
The U.S. indictment also charged Bout with conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to kill U.S. officers or employees, and conspiring to provide material support to terrorists.
 
The Russian faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
 
In August 2009, the Bangkok Criminal Court rejected a U.S. extradition request. It said that Thailand considers FARC a political movement and not a terrorist group, and that extradition under a Thai-U.S. treaty could not be granted for a political offense.
 
But the appeals court disagreed, saying Friday that under Thai law the charges against Bout were considered criminal, not political.
 
Bout's lawyer, Lak Nittiwattanawichan, said he would keep fighting.
 
"I am going to submit a request to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cabinet. I will also submit a request to the king and queen," he said.
 
___
 
Associated Press writers Jocelyn Gecker in Bangkok and David Nowak in Moscow contributed to this report.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
Israel, Palestinians to hold talks in Washington AFP -  21 minutes ago
 
UK-World Summary Reuters -  40 minutes ago
 
Israel and Palestinians await invite to year of talks Reuters -  40 minutes ago
 
Britain warns Libya not to mark Megrahi release, a year on AFP -  41 minutes ago
 
Taliban kill 30 security guards AFP -  56 minutes ago
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
France slashes 2011 growth forecast
France cuts 2011 growth forecast to 2%
EU says ban on seal goods in place, with exceptions
Russia 'has no plans to import grain this year'
EU ban on seal goods imports in place, with exceptions
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
ADVERTISEMENT
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
More Americans say Obama is Muslim
 
US jobless claims jump to 500,000; nine-month high
 
Partner says BP hiding oil spill documents
 
Intel to buy McAfee as it eyes wireless market
 
Over 200 mln US eggs recalled in salmonella scare
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Obama endorses mosque plan near Ground Zero
 
40 US billionaires pledge half wealth to charity
 
Visitors attack Taiwan 'haunted house' actors
 
Massive ice island breaks off Greenland glacier
 
Belgian man dies of South Asian superbug
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo!
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy 
- Terms of Service 
- Community 
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy 
- Help
        
    
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Friday, 20 August 2010 Draft talks invite sees Mideast deal in one year
|  
Intel to buy McAfee as it eyes wireless market  
US jobless claims jump to 500,000; nine-month high  
Mexicans mourn mayor, government vows crackdown
|  
Oakland Catholic Church Sued For Late Firing Of Pedophile Priest  
Cholera surges in parts of the world: WHO  
Newsweek Magazine Ranks Indian PM Atop Global Leader List  
Australia's Labor neck-and-neck with opposition: paper
|  
More Americans say Obama is Muslim  
Disney Sends Muslim Employee Home For Wearing Headscarf  
Swann double checks Pakistan's progress  
Obama Backs U.N. Probe On Rights Violations In Myanmar  
Study: Chinese Medicine Shown To Diminish Chemotherapy Side Effects  
Eminem And Rihanna Spend Fifth Week At #1 On Billboard Hot 100  
Attack on military police kills 7 in Xinjiang, China
|  
Groups Protest NextEra's Nuclear Plant License Renewal  
"ANTM" Getting Fashion Makeover, Recruits Cavalli, Posen As Guest Judges  
Keri Hilson Reaches "Breaking Point" On New Album  
Mumified Fetuses From 1930s Discovered In L.A. Basement  
Attack on military police kills 7 in Xinjiang, China  
Mother claims child died due to BP refinery pollution  
U.S. and Pakistan warn of militant plots over floods  
Last US combat brigade leaves Iraq  
Pakistan calls for aid 'now' ahead of UN meet  
Thais to rule on suspected arms dealer extradition  
Thailand's 'Red Shirt' lawmakers in court  
Plane that crashed in China is N.Korean: Xinhua  
HP profit rises on strength in servers and PCs
|  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
Dell beats revenue targets as profit margin lags
|  
Cameron Diaz ranked most dangerous Web celeb: study
|  
Eminem set to lead U.S. album chart for sixth week  
Cameron Diaz ranked most dangerous Web celeb: study  
BofA to test retail payments with cell phones
|  
Sony unit bidding for Taiwan cable channel, reports say  
Armless man plays piano with toes to win hearts in China  
New buzz word 'vuvuzela' earns a place in English dictionary  
By Toutatis! Asterix McDonald's ad irks French  
A Minute With: Emma Thompson as "Nanny McPhee"  
U2 postpones Spanish show due to general strike  
Survey reveals best Europe airport buys  
Oakland Catholic Church Sued For Late Firing Of Pedophile Priest  
Bobby Fischer Paternity Case Settled, Filipino Girl Not His Daughter  
Man Racks Up $1 Million In PayPal Charges Over Phishing Attack  
North Korean Pilot Defecting To Russia Crashes In China  
Homeless NJ Man Discovered Living In Library Basement  
Bangladesh Acknowledges Sex Workers As Professionals  
John Lennons 1971 Letter to Aspiring British Folk Singer Arrives 34 years Late  
Cameron Diaz ranked most dangerous Web celeb: study
|  
Anti-War Protester Charged After Attacking Sen. Levin With Pie  
Smoking still too common in movies, CDC says
|  
Sex Kills: Young Couple Stoned To Death For Having An Affair  
9-Year-Old Boy, Nearly Abducted, Fights Off Attacker With Skateboard  
Eminem rules Hot 100 singles chart for fifth week
|  
Book aims to redefine Charlie Chan for Asian-Americans
|  
Eminem set to lead U.S. album chart for sixth week
|  
US-TECH Summary  
Cameron Diaz hot bait for online traps  
Intel to buy McAfee as it eyes wireless market  
'India proposes formula to break BlackBerry logjam'  
Google doubles Germans' opt-out deadline for Street View  
Cellphones help Cambodian students -- to cheat  
India testing ways to access BlackBerry emails  
"Dilmaboy" and Twitter: Brazil election goes online  
Al-Qaeda claims attack on Iraq army recruits  
France defends Roma crackdown amid fresh expulsions  
North Korea says consensus with China on nuclear talks
|  
Partner says BP hiding oil spill documents  
US Calls Bhopal Issue Closed, Froman Explains His Ahluwalia Remarks T  
Bharti India CEO: Blackberry solution has to come from RIM  
US assures Israel on Iran's A-bomb plans  
Pentagon Rejects Talks With WikiLeaks  
World powers aim to open Mideast talks next month
|  
Key Berlusconi ally seeks early poll  
More Americans say Obama is Muslim  
Sharp to cut LCD panel production: report  
New Season Of TLCs Four Weddings Premieres In September  
U.S. assures Israel nuclear Iran not imminent  
Havana harassing hunger striker's mother  
Pakistan to clamp down on Islamist militant charities
|  
Panasonic to lift China plasma plant capacity: report  
U.N. Describes Pakistans Flood As "Slow Motion" Tsunami  
U.S. Confirms Iraqi Mission Now Known As "New Dawn"  
Pentagon eyes technology to increase efficiency  
U.S. assures Israel nuclear Iran not imminent: report
|  
Stocks Tumble Again Over Jump In Jobless Claims, Manufacturing Slump  
Thai court rules to extradite Russian arms dealer
|  
TSA Halts, Holds AA Plane At San Francisco Airport Over Phone Threat  
Mexicans mourn mayor, government vows crackdown
|  
Australia faces prospect of minority government
|  
BofA and Visa to test cell phone payments  
Afghan refugees homeless again in Pakistan floods  
Wyclef Jean not on Haiti candidates list: source
|  
People launches delayed iPad app  
Four missing after fishing boat capsizes in China  
Dell beats revenue targets as profit margin lags  
World powers aim to open Mideast talks next month  
World urged to act on Pakistan or risk rebel rise  
Ahmadinejad says Iran ready for nuclear talks: report  
Indie film makers lead Philippine cinema resurgence  
Dell profit climbs on surging business computer sales  
Afghan insurgent leader captured; US troop killed  
Thai court grants alleged arms dealer extradition  
Thai court rules to extradite Russian arms dealer  
Factbox  
Japan tells ships to be more vigilant in Hormuz Strait  
Pakistan seeks IMF loan restructuring after floods  
Gay marriage surprise issue in Australian election  
Pentagon eyes technology to increase efficiency
|  
Seoul wants apology before nuclear talks resume  
Britain bids to save silent Hitchcock thrillers  
Bharti India CEO: Blackberry solution has to come from RIM
|  
Australia faces prospect of minority government  
Panasonic to lift China plasma plant capacity: report
|  
New skyscraper rises at Ground Zero, amid mosque flap  
China: two suspects in Xinjiang blast, one dead  
Lady Gaga to steal Britney Spears' Twitter crown
|  
Brotherhood TV series angers Egypt Islamists  
Dell and HP shake off slowdown fears
|  
Director Barenboim wants classical music for the masses  
"Expendables" to fend off "Nanny", "Vampires"  
Israel, Palestinians to resume direct talks: report  
Wyclef awaits word on run for Haitian presidency  
Sharp to cut LCD panel production: report
|  
People launches delayed iPad app
|  
Lady Gaga to steal Britney Spears' Twitter crown  
Thais to rule on US bid to extradite arms dealer  
Ricky Martin memoir to talk fame and sexuality  
Global minimum and maximum temperatures  
Book aims to redefine Charlie Chan for Asian-Americans  
Jetliner grounded in San Francisco after threat  
S.Korea July crude imports up 5.5 pct yr/yr  
Vacation time for the president  
Seoul shares end down; econ concerns weigh  
Obama a Muslim? Rumors gain steam, defying facts  
Thais to rule on suspected arms dealer extradition  
China's Internet access 'matches' rich world  
Pakistani c.bank buys 17.7 bln rupees of govt paper  
World Bank: Philippine farm policy deepens poverty  
CORRECTED  
Lady Gaga to steal Britney Spears' Twitter crown
|  
PAKISTAN  
Expendables to fend off Nanny, Vampires
|  
Third year of shortfall seen for Taiwan budget  
Ricky Martin memoir to talk fame and sexuality
|  
NZ credit card billings fall in July  
Neil Patrick Harris on Emmys, Prop 8 and Lost
|  
Friday night TV aims to shake off lame duck status
|  
Seoul shares retreat on U.S. econ worries  
France cuts 2011 growth forecast to 2%  
Clinton invites Israel, Palestinians to September 2 talks
|  
EU says ban on seal goods in place, with exceptions  
Executive Steps Down In Apple-Supplier Kickback Investigation  
South Africa unions and gov't talk on public workers' strike
|  
Russia 'has no plans to import grain this year'  
MSNBC Opts Not To Air Liberal Ad Against Target  
Russia extends military presence in Armenia  
Federal Appeals Court: Secretly Made Recordings Don't Violate Wiretap Law  
EU ban on seal goods imports in place, with exceptions  
Last Arizona Prison Escapee Apprehended At Campground  
Scientists challenge US optimism on oil spill damage  
Iran says might halt high-level uranium enrichment
|  
France defies critics to push on with Roma expulsions  
"Real Housewives Of Atlanta" Returning For 3rd Season With New Faces  
Iraq's rival parties resume government coalition talks
|  
Ambassadors Letter Suggests Obama Ignored Indias Concerns  
U.S. officials discussed Iran sanctions with Turkey
|  
Madonna's Material Girl Teens Clothing Line Sued  
Spencer Pratt To Write A Tell-All Book About Heidi Montag  
Libya keeps quiet one year after Lockerbie release
|  
U.S. Expert: One Year Before Iran Can Prepare Nuclear Bomb  
Low Exposure To Cigarette Smoke Causes Cell Damage  
Britain warns Libya not to mark Megrahi release, a year on  
N.Korea joins Facebook after Twitter propaganda  
'Bold plan' for Mekong area rail link approved  
Thais rule to extradite Russian arms suspect to US  
China to relocate hundreds after mudslide  
9/11 family members divided over mosque near WTC  
La. scientist's oysters safe from oil, but pricey  
Taiwan claims disputed islets in Japan, US drill  
India sees solution on BlackBerry emails next week: source
|  
Arizona fugitive and fiancee arrested at campsite  
Amnesty urges release of Indonesian activists  
Dr. Laura's dinner with gay, black friends  
Kennedy favors civilian courts in terrorism cases  
Google to hire 200 in Ireland
|  
US woes weigh on Asian stock markets  
Phil Spector documentary gets OK from killer's son  
S.Korean pastor arrested over visit to North  
S.Korea's KNOC makes hostile offer for UK oil firm  
Pakistan likely to seek lower IMF targets after floods  
Pakistani stocks, rupee flat; o/n rates up  
Asia Fuel Oil-Taiwan's CPC seeks Oct LSFO  
Japan finance minister watching forex 'with interest'  
Japan urges China to boost rare earth exports  
China's Ansteel may scrap US steel deal  
Indonesia palm oil giant defends record  
US investor Soros buys stake in India stock exchange  
Dr. Laura's dinner with gay, black friends
|  
Phil Spector documentary gets OK from killer's son
|  
Expendables to fend off Nanny, Vampires
|  
New film explores the decline in female rappers
|  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights