Asia-Pacific

Thailand sends Russian arms suspect to US

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-11-16 14:33

Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout arrives at a Bangkok criminal court Oct 5, 2010. A Thai court on Tuesday dismissed charges of money-laundering and wire fraud against Bout, bringing him a step closer to extradition to the United States. [Photo/Agencies]

BANGKOK - Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was flown out of Thailand on a charter flight to the United States on Tuesday, an airport official said, following the government's decision to extradite him.

"He has left on a small charter flight a moment ago," the airport official said on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

The 43-year-old former Soviet air force officer nicknamed the "Merchant of Death" faces terror charges and the United States accuses him of trafficking arms since the 1990s to dictators and conflict zones in Africa, South America and the Middle East.

His case has led to a diplomatic tussle between Moscow and Washington. He has been fighting extradition since his March 2008 arrest in Bangkok as part of a US-led sting operation and legal wrangling over his fate led to a two-year diplomatic tug of war between Washington and Moscow.

Russia had made strong public statements against Bout's extradition, and privately, both Moscow and Washington were reported to be exerting heavy pressure on Abhisit's government. U.S lawmakers also became involved, sending a letter to the Thai government urging extradition.

Alla Bout, wife of suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, holds food as she arrives at Bangkwang Central Prison in Nonthaburi province, on the outskirts of Bangkok, Nov 16, 2010.  [Photo/Agencies]

A Thai court had earlier cleared the way for Bout's extradition but the executive branch could have blocked it if it was deemed to be detrimental to foreign relations or harmful to individuals involved.

"The cabinet acknowledges the appeal court's judgement that the case was not a political one so we did not oppose his extradition," Deputy Prime Minister Trirong Suwannakhiri told Reuters.

Russia's Foreign Ministry has said Bout is an innocent businessman facing a politically motivated extradition that could undermine strengthening US-Russian ties and undo the White House's efforts to "reset" relations between the Cold War foes.

Bout, an inspiration for the Hollywood movie "Lord of War" starring Nicholas Cage, has been held in prison since his arrest in a joint US-Thai sting operation in which agents posed as arms buyers for the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia.