Extradition Hearing Of Russian Arms Dealer Victor Bout Postponed

[george]

Extradition hearing of suspected Russian arms dealer postponed

BANGKOK: -- A Thai court on Monday postponed a hearing on the extradition of a suspected Russian arms dealer dubbed the "Merchant of Death" for his alleged role in the illegal international arms trade, due to the absence of his Thai defence lawyer.

Victor Anatoljevitch Bout, 41, was arrested in Thailand on March 6 after a months-long sting operation involving US and Thai police.

He was charged with terrorism offences in the US in connection with the conspiracy to sell missiles to members of a Colombian rebel group.

Mr. Bout denied any wrongdoing.

The Bangkok-based Criminal Court was scheduled to rule whether to extradite the defendant to the US at the request of the US government.

The court clerk, however, submitted a petition to the judges asking that the hearing be postponed on the grounds that Lak Nitiwatvicharn, a Thai lawyer representing Mr Bout, was absent due to his recovery from heart surgery.

The court judges granted permission to the request and scheduled the next hearing on July 28.

The notorious arms dealer was dubbed the "merchant of death" for allegedly supplying warring parties in Angola and Sierra Leone, and is believed to have inspired the character portrayed by Nicolas Cage in the 2005 film "Lord of War".

--TNA 2008-06-09

[Briggsy]

.....and negotiations continue.

If that's an up-to-date photo of Vik, it looks like he's lost a bit of weight and looks less healthy. Also he's been given a "long song" Thai style haircut.

I wonder how long they can spin this out for. You can bet there is a tremendous amount going on behind the scenes. How long will "the people's arm dealer" have to rot in a prison cell?

[LaoPo]

Extradition hearing of suspected Russian arms dealer postponed

The court clerk, however, submitted a petition to the judges asking that the hearing be postponed on the grounds that Lak Nitiwatvicharn, a Thai lawyer representing Mr Bout, was absent due to his recovery from heart surgery.

"...heart surgery...."

That's not something one could plan or lie about is it....?

LaoPo

[ilyushin]

He will eventually walk, but he is on a forced fast at the moment.

Technical difficulties. He will return to regularly scheduled programs shortly.

Just my 2 baht.

[rangers]

The Us want him for selling arms to a South American country. That's rich, remember the contras and Oliver North.

[Kerryd]

For more detail on the original arrest, and events since that arrest, check out this thread: Russian Arms Dealer Arrested in Thailand

(yeah, the Iran/Contra affair was mentioned and "other" aspects of the case)

[TAWP]

Next up: They will set up a sting-operation, claiming to be from the 'Intergalactic Space Terrorism Council', and by meeting them they will charge him as being in conspiracy to 'Murder the whole planet' and 'intergalactic terrorism', which ofcourse gives them unlimited time for any investigation.