Alleged Arms Smuggler Bout Testifies In Thailand

[george]

Alleged arms smuggler Viktor Bout testifies in Thailand

Alleged Russian arms trafficker Viktor Bout is escorted by Thai prison guards to the criminal court on Monday, Dec. 22, 2008 in Bangkok,Thailand. Bout, 41, has been indicted in the U.S. on four terrorism-related charges. He was arrested in Thailand on March 6 but denied any involvement in illicit activities. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK: -- The man dubbed the "Merchant of Death" for his alleged arms smuggling activities took the stand Monday for the first time to fight extradition to the United States and deny charges that he conspired to arm Colombian rebels.

Dressed in an orange prison uniform, Viktor Bout was shackled at the ankles but looked relaxed and spoke in mostly measured tones during his testimony at Bangkok's Criminal Court.

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 never met or talked to anyone from FARC," Bout told the court. "I didn't do anything wrong in Thailand. I have never been to Colombia or the United States."

The 41-year-old Russian, who has long denied any involvement in illicit activities, was purportedly the model for the arms dealer portrayed by Nicolas Cage in the 2005 movie "Lord of War."

He was arrested in March at a Bangkok luxury hotel and subsequently indicted in the U.S. on four terrorism-related charges.

Bout identified himself to the court as "a 41-year-old businessman." He spoke in Russian, which was translated to Thai.

Asked to state his line of work, Bout replied, "I am in aviation and construction."

Bout said he had traveled to Bangkok "to relax" and to meet with "a Thai businessman who wanted to buy airplanes."

"I did not commit any terrorist acts," said Bout, claiming he was a pawn in an American plot.

"The U.S. is trying to use this to cover up its internal problems and prevent good relations between Thailand and Russia," said Bout, briefly raising his voice and shaking his finger as he spoke. He did not elaborate.

At one point, Bout held up two fingers and flashed the victory sign to an acquaintance in the courtroom, where his mother and wife were present. After a two-hour testimony, the court adjorned for lunch and Bout smiled for cameras as police escorted him out.

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.

-- AP 2008-12-22

[george]

Alleged Russian arms dealer tells Thai court he was framed

BANGKOK (AFP) — An alleged Russian arms dealer dubbed the "Merchant of Death" told a Thai court Monday that he had been framed and should not be extradited to the United States.

Viktor Bout, who is accused of funnelling arms to some of the world's most violent conflicts, denied he had been to Colombia to supply the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla movement.

"I was framed," the 41-year-old Bout told the court, wearing a dark orange prison jumpsuit and with shackles on his feet. "I have done no crime, I have done no terrorist act."

Bout, arrested in Bangkok on March 6 after a sting operation conducted by US agents and Thai police, faces life in prison if sent to the United States and convicted there on terrorism charges.

The former Soviet air force officer questioned in court why the United States had not previously sent arrest warrants to Russia if it wanted to prosecute him.

"They have framed me because the US does not want relations between Thailand and Russia to develop more," he said.

Asked by his lawyer if he had sold arms to FARC, a leftist movement which has waged a four-decade battle against the Colombian government, he denied involvement.

"It's not true. I have never met anyone from FARC, I have never been to Colombia," he said.

Bout has been held at a maximum-security prison outside Bangkok since his arrest.

Bout is accused of being a global gun-runner since the 1990s. He is believed to have supplied arms to the Taliban militia, Osama bin Laden's Al-Qaeda terror network and former Liberian leader Charles Taylor.

The nickname "Merchant of Death" was coined by a former British foreign office minister and also used for a 2007 book on Bout's alleged activities.

-- AFP 2008-12-22

[TAWP]

The show has started.

I think he should be sentenced to a fictional jail time for being tricked into talking to fictional terrorists and negotiating about a fictional deal.

[Briggsy]

What a farce.

The courts here will be looking for direction from any sources of authority while going through the comic motions. They'll be on the phone to the PM's office asking what the judgement should be.

The Thai government will be 'selling' Bout to the highest bidder.

The lawyers will be trying to extract cash from anyone or any government prepared to hand it over.

Why the shackles and the orange suit? He is not even charged with any crime in Thailand.

Viktor Bout must be freed sooner rather than later.

[alex_aka_P]

What a farce.

The courts here will be looking for direction from any sources of authority while going through the comic motions. They'll be on the phone to the PM's office asking what the judgement should be.

The Thai government will be 'selling' Bout to the highest bidder.

The lawyers will be trying to extract cash from anyone or any government prepared to hand it over.

Why the shackles and the orange suit? He is not even charged with any crime in Thailand.

Viktor Bout must be freed sooner rather than later.

Well said.

[flanker]

The Americans seem to have no real evidence, if he was 'smuggling' arms he was doing it from his native Russia; in that case it is up to Russian law enforcement to decide whether or not he committed any export violations; and the US should then take it up with the Russian government..

Should US military personal now have to worry about being charged for war crimes they may have committed in Iraq or Afghanistan when traveling in Europe or Russia?

[phaethon]

What's he up to with his right hand? Is that a nervous habit or crabs he picked up in prison?

[newtronbom]

Yes. How is it, that many various American "Agencies" - people are allowed to routinely sell arms, bombs, aircraft and even drugs, to who ever "they" deem themselves to be worthy and are allowed to get away with it! They have always sold to "both sides of the fence" when it suits them. Could it simply be, that this "Merchant of Death" was just out bidding them? So they decide to get rid of him this way? How convenient!

[Briggsy]

What's he up to with his right hand? Is that a nervous habit or crabs he picked up in prison?

It's the goddam ridiculous chain attached to the goddam ridiculous shackles he has to wear at court visits. Absolutely ludicrous.

[Kerryd]

What's he up to with his right hand? Is that a nervous habit or crabs he picked up in prison?

It's the goddam ridiculous chain attached to the goddam ridiculous shackles he has to wear at court visits. Absolutely ludicrous.

Funny too how he has been denied bail.

Convicted murderers can get bail and be out of jail while appealing their sentence.

People convicted of tax evasion and various other charges can get bail and be out of jail, and even get diplomatic passports handed to them, while appealing their convictions.

Yet someone who has committed no crime in Thailand, has not been convicted of anything (anywhere as far as I know) is held without bail. Is he any more of a flight risk that a super rich former PM ?

After all, all he did was show up for a meeting. He didn't bring any weapons, not even samples. No money changed hands. From the sounds of it, no agreements of any kind were made.

So what is he being held for ? Conspiracy to go to a meeting with some wannabe rebels who were actually DEA agents engaged in a sting ?

I guess anyone walking into half the bars in Pattaya must also be guilty of conspiring to plot a coup somewhere in the world, because everyone knows that most of the worlds ex (SAS, Special Forces, Deltas, Green Berets, Mossad and now Spetnaz) troops hang out in Pattaya's bars, waiting to be summoned into action.

(Just like that crew in Rambo 4, except those guys were wussies)

Even Joran "Should be hung" accepted money under the pretences of agreeing to arrange some human-trafficking. Not arrested, or even questioned about it so it would seem.

The courts should (rightfully) see that they have no jurisdiction in the case and that Mr Bout's rights under Thai law were violated. Return his passport(s), offer him an Elite Card, and ask him (nicely) to not provide arms to the southern rebels and quietly let him out the back door.

If the US wants him that badly, they can catch up to him again somewhere else.

[sunreader]

Uncle Sam has Thailand under his thumb.

[ourmaninbangers]

Uncle Sam has Thailand under his thumb.

I have been trying to tell people this for age,s

and they hate it

you are 1000% correct

[bulltaco]

Uncle Sam has Thailand under his thumb.

I have been trying to tell people this for age,s

and they hate it

you are 1000% correct

Too funny. You guys really believe all this stuff? You have not seen what evidence they really have, and you pass judgement. Like most 'bad guys' in the world, there is a lot of stuff very few people will never have access to, but this evidence is there, it is real and it will get this guy his just deserves. As is the case in these types of operations, informants and intel sources will not be made public. This lack of transparancy bothers people because that is why Gitmo is there. Do you really believe that the U.S. Govt. would just keep detainees in Guitmo if they did not have intel on them? To believe so is a very simplistic position.

So does anyone here really believe that if he REALLY is guilty of doing what he is accused of doing that he should be released? a position like that would make you no better than he is.

Long time lurker and new member. Bulltaco

[Richard W]

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.

-- AP 2008-12-22

So does anyone here really believe that if he REALLY is guilty of doing what he is accused of doing that he should be released? a position like that would make you no better than he is.

So should we hope for people to be extradited to Russia for supplying arms to the Afghan Mujahideen during the period of Communist rule?

[Kerryd]

So does anyone here really believe that if he REALLY is guilty of doing what he is accused of doing that he should be released? a position like that would make you no better than he is.

So should we hope for people to be extradited to Russia for supplying arms to the Afghan Mujahideen during the period of Communist rule?

Or the ones that supplied weapons to Iran, despite the Congressional BAN on such ?

Ahh right, it's OK for a government to ignore or break it's own laws. But to allow competition ? In a so called "free market" economy ?

Arrest and imprison the lot ! How dare they try to take business away from the American government !

This is a delicate and slippery slope the US Government is playing on. It is trying to enforce US laws, outside of US territory, on citizens of other nations.

By the same reasoning, the next time Ollie North sets foot outside the States, he could be arrested for supplying weapons to Iran, and conspiring to kill Iraqi citizens (long before Gulf War I or II).

Former President Reagan has passed on, but I'm sure many members of his government are still around. The same government that provided Stinger missiles to (got to love it) Osama bin Laden and other Afghan mujahideen groups to attack the Russians.

Would they not be guilty of conspiracy to kill Russian citizens (and other Afghanis) ? Are they not guilty of providing aid to terrorists ?

Why is it OK (in the minds of some) to do the EXACT same things, if you are American, but not another nationality ?

I don't recall anyone answering the question I posed before either. Since when has American law become Global Law ? This case clearly shows that the US seems to think it's laws apply to anyone, anywhere on the planet.

So what is Mr Bout guilty of (if anything) ?

It would appear he is mainly guilty of being in direct competition with the US government.

[TAWP]

Uncle Sam has Thailand under his thumb.

I have been trying to tell people this for age,s

and they hate it

you are 1000% correct

Too funny. You guys really believe all this stuff? You have not seen what evidence they really have, and you pass judgement. Like most 'bad guys' in the world, there is a lot of stuff very few people will never have access to, but this evidence is there, it is real and it will get this guy his just deserves. As is the case in these types of operations, informants and intel sources will not be made public. This lack of transparancy bothers people because that is why Gitmo is there. Do you really believe that the U.S. Govt. would just keep detainees in Guitmo if they did not have intel on them? To believe so is a very simplistic position.

So does anyone here really believe that if he REALLY is guilty of doing what he is accused of doing that he should be released? a position like that would make you no better than he is.

Long time lurker and new member. Bulltaco

Seeing as several detainees has been released without trial(!) after spending a few years there(!) I would say that your belief in any secret evidence might be a figment of your imagination.

[MyphuketLife]

Uncle Sam has Thailand under his thumb.

I have been trying to tell people this for age,s

and they hate it

you are 1000% correct

Too funny. You guys really believe all this stuff? You have not seen what evidence they really have, and you pass judgement. Like most 'bad guys' in the world, there is a lot of stuff very few people will never have access to, but this evidence is there, it is real and it will get this guy his just deserves. As is the case in these types of operations, informants and intel sources will not be made public. This lack of transparancy bothers people because that is why Gitmo is there. Do you really believe that the U.S. Govt. would just keep detainees in Guitmo if they did not have intel on them? To believe so is a very simplistic position.

So does anyone here really believe that if he REALLY is guilty of doing what he is accused of doing that he should be released? a position like that would make you no better than he is.

Long time lurker and new member. Bulltaco

Is he a US citizen?

Did he commet the US crimes on US soil?

Then why in the hel_l is the US involved.

[Kerryd]

Bout's Case Postponed until MARCH 6, 2009 !

BANGKOK, Thailand - A Thai court Tuesday delayed the extradition hearing of a Russian businessman dubbed the "Merchant of Death" and wanted in the

U.S. over arms smuggling allegations, after two key witnesses failed to show up.

The postponement until March 6 was the latest setback in a court process that stretches back to March of this year when Viktor Bout — accused of conspiring to arm Colombian rebels — was nabbed at a Bangkok luxury hotel in a U.S. sting operation.

Lawyers for Bout, 41, requested the delay after two witnesses they described as high-level Thai navy officers could not appear because they were sick.

Bout, who will remain in a Bangkok prison, showed no emotion when the new date was set. His mother, who was in the court with his wife, began crying.

Bout — who was purportedly the model for the arms dealer portrayed by Nicolas Cage in the 2005 movie, "Lord of War" — was arrested in March during a sting operation in which undercover U.S. agents posed as rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known by its Spanish acronym, FARC.

The leftist group, which has been fighting Colombia's government for more than four decades, is listed by the U.S. as a terror group.

But testifying in court for the first time Monday, Bout said that he was set up by the Americans.

"I never met anyone from FARC. I've never talked to anyone from FARC," Bout told the court. "I didn't do anything wrong in Thailand."

The extradition hearing has drawn an unusually vigorous response from Russia, according to Douglas Farah, who wrote the 2007 book on Bout, "Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible." The co-author of the book, Stephen Braun, is an editor at the Washington bureau of The Associated Press.

Farah said the Russian government has run sympathetic stories in government media about Bout and lobbied senior Thai officials for his release. Two officials from Russia's Embassy in Thailand were in court on Monday.

The Duma, or lower house of parliament, has also issued a statement calling for him to be returned to Russia.

"The Russians have made great efforts to get him out beyond what they would do for a normal Russian citizen," Farah said. "Over the years, he's been incredibly useful to the Russian intelligence apparatus particularly in delivering weapons to states such as Iran and their proxies in Lebanon."

Farah said the Russian government is concerned that he could reveal details about his dealings with Moscow were he to be put on trial in the United States.

"I think they would prefer to have him back in Moscow under their control than having him testify in open court in the United States," Farah said.

Bout testified that he came to Bangkok "to relax" and meet with several Thai executives "who wanted to purchase airplanes."

"I did not commit any terrorist acts," Bout said.

Bout and his attorneys offered a list of reasons he should be set free: The arrest warrant was flawed. He committed no crime in Thailand. The United States had no business prosecuting him. He is a victim of worsening relations between the United States and Russia.

Bout faces charges in the United States 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.

Full AP article here: Bout will remain in custody in Thailand

Wow. He'll have spent almost a full year in prison by the time he goes back to court.

I like the last charge, "Conspiring to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile" !

The Americans had no problem at all with providing the Afghanis with anti-aircraft missiles, when it suited their end. But it's a crime for anyone else to do it.

It's also BS, as (allegedly) the DEA were not trying to sell him missiles, they were trying to buy them. How can you be guilty of conspiring to acquire something you (allegedly) already have ?

And nowhere does it state he had any intention of trying to use them.

I'd almost think it would be worth it for him to go to the States, get a high-priced lawyer, beat these charges, and sue the butt off the DEA for "conspiracy to entrap", "attempted kidnapping" and "unlawful confinement". I think he has a better chance of that, than they do of making their charges stick.

Problem is, he would probably never make it to the States. I'm sure a sudden in-flight emergency would require his aircraft to make an emergency landing in Guantanamo, and he'd never be heard from again.

[Briggsy]

Must be all terribly complicated for those senior Thais. Normal situation = who is the phee?, who is the nong? Nong chucks money upstairs to phee. Phee pulls strings. End of story.

This one must be blowing their minds. Foreign governments. Press coverage. International law. Puat Hua. So you get the most time-served of all Thai solutions, when the situation is tricky, simply hide and procrastinate. The tragedy here is the Russian stays stuck in the stinking remand centre while all this is going on.

In fact, maybe I've got it all wrong. Perhaps, the Americans are paying the Thais to procrastinate and delay interminably. Keeping the competition off the market for a few months or even years could be worth hundreds of millions to the US. While, a senior Thai navy officer and some judges could be bought off for a tiny fraction of that.

[bulltaco]

Must be all terribly complicated for those senior Thais. Normal situation = who is the phee?, who is the nong? Nong chucks money upstairs to phee. Phee pulls strings. End of story.

This one must be blowing their minds. Foreign governments. Press coverage. International law. Puat Hua. So you get the most time-served of all Thai solutions, when the situation is tricky, simply hide and procrastinate. The tragedy here is the Russian stays stuck in the stinking remand centre while all this is going on.

In fact, maybe I've got it all wrong. Perhaps, the Americans are paying the Thais to procrastinate and delay interminably. Keeping the competition off the market for a few months or even years could be worth hundreds of millions to the US. While, a senior Thai navy officer and some judges could be bought off for a tiny fraction of that.

The problem with so many of the comments here is that the position people take is that of "all is what it appears to be". Second, there is a highly anti-American Govt. view from posters. By the words you write the simplicity of your position becomes clear. No one ever talks form a REAl judicial or law enforcement or military background. I read over and over again "the U.S. Govt. supplied arms to such and such and this guy was doing the same thing".

Wrong.

Check your history, check your facts, including U.N. resolutions, multi country agreements, treaties, etc.

Don't confuse the 'check, counter check' moves the Soviets and American play to this day with supplying the FARC with weapons to kill civilian targets. This guy is a BAD guy, and the Govt. would not spend their time and efforts going after him if he wasn't. Oh yes, I forgot, they want him off the market so other people can sell arms world wide and make money. What a joke.

[2008bangkok]

Check your history, check your facts, including U.N. resolutions, multi country agreements, treaties, etc.

and there was me gonna get me head down for the night...now its a night of wikipedia, google search engines and the occasional porn break...

Oh well....

[TAWP]

Must be all terribly complicated for those senior Thais. Normal situation = who is the phee?, who is the nong? Nong chucks money upstairs to phee. Phee pulls strings. End of story.

This one must be blowing their minds. Foreign governments. Press coverage. International law. Puat Hua. So you get the most time-served of all Thai solutions, when the situation is tricky, simply hide and procrastinate. The tragedy here is the Russian stays stuck in the stinking remand centre while all this is going on.

In fact, maybe I've got it all wrong. Perhaps, the Americans are paying the Thais to procrastinate and delay interminably. Keeping the competition off the market for a few months or even years could be worth hundreds of millions to the US. While, a senior Thai navy officer and some judges could be bought off for a tiny fraction of that.

The problem with so many of the comments here is that the position people take is that of "all is what it appears to be". Second, there is a highly anti-American Govt. view from posters. By the words you write the simplicity of your position becomes clear. No one ever talks form a REAl judicial or law enforcement or military background. I read over and over again "the U.S. Govt. supplied arms to such and such and this guy was doing the same thing".

Wrong.

Check your history, check your facts, including U.N. resolutions, multi country agreements, treaties, etc.

Don't confuse the 'check, counter check' moves the Soviets and American play to this day with supplying the FARC with weapons to kill civilian targets. This guy is a BAD guy, and the Govt. would not spend their time and efforts going after him if he wasn't. Oh yes, I forgot, they want him off the market so other people can sell arms world wide and make money. What a joke.

His only crime is that he sold to everyone that wanted to buy, like a true merchant. Which worked when he sold to the right people, but not to some others...

So to remove him they create a fake case or a purchase that would never take place (as it was DEA-agents and not FARC men) without their invention to trump up charges related to terrorism so they can get him extradited. It's a political case, nothing more.

And some of us believe in a free world.

[Richard W]

Don't confuse the 'check, counter check' moves the Soviets and American play to this day with supplying the FARC with weapons to kill civilian targets. This guy is a BAD guy, and the Govt. would not spend their time and efforts going after him if he wasn't.

The only legal asymmetry I can see is that Bout is charged with 'conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to kill U.S. officers or employees', which further boils down to 'conspiring to kill Americans other than officers or employees of the US government'. So, are you saying that the difference is that those supplying the Afghan Mujahideen in the days of Communist rule were not conspiring to kill citizens of the Soviet Union other than officers or employees of the Soviet government?

[2008bangkok]

The only legal asymmetry I can see is that Bout is charged with 'conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to kill U.S. officers or employees', which further boils down to 'conspiring to kill Americans other than officers or employees of the US government'. So, are you saying that the difference is that those supplying the Afghan Mujahideen in the days of Communist rule were not conspiring to kill citizens of the Soviet Union other than officers or employees of the Soviet government?

i feel this paves the way for some decent mud slingin soon......maybe ill just have 1 more before i retire

[bulltaco]

Don't confuse the 'check, counter check' moves the Soviets and American play to this day with supplying the FARC with weapons to kill civilian targets. This guy is a BAD guy, and the Govt. would not spend their time and efforts going after him if he wasn't.

The only legal asymmetry I can see is that Bout is charged with 'conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to kill U.S. officers or employees', which further boils down to 'conspiring to kill Americans other than officers or employees of the US government'. So, are you saying that the difference is that those supplying the Afghan Mujahideen in the days of Communist rule were not conspiring to kill citizens of the Soviet Union other than officers or employees of the Soviet government?

Don't be so simple. You logic does not hold up in court. You seem to assume everything is so black and white, when in fact if you operate within the law, you can do anything the law does not prevent you from doing. As a good recent example, a bank in the U.S. can become totally insolvant by making boneheaded decisions. But is it a crime? No. It is called 'making poor business decisions" enough though it may cost U.S. taxpayers billions of dollars. But, if you commit fraud, you go to jail. A fine line between fraud and bad business decisions. Fair? Nope. Reality? Yes.

If you are looking for a 'fair playing field' you won't find it. That's my whole point. If one operates within the law while someone else does the same thing outside the law, you see what happens. It is not a 'master plot' or some grand plan by the powers that be to protect, sell, or otherwise conduct business in a certain way, it's called the rule of law.

[bulltaco]

Don't confuse the 'check, counter check' moves the Soviets and American play to this day with supplying the FARC with weapons to kill civilian targets. This guy is a BAD guy, and the Govt. would not spend their time and efforts going after him if he wasn't.

The only legal asymmetry I can see is that Bout is charged with 'conspiring to kill Americans, conspiring to kill U.S. officers or employees', which further boils down to 'conspiring to kill Americans other than officers or employees of the US government'. So, are you saying that the difference is that those supplying the Afghan Mujahideen in the days of Communist rule were not conspiring to kill citizens of the Soviet Union other than officers or employees of the Soviet government?

Ouch..... A simple Google search will show he violated arms blockageds by the U.N., Blood Diamond trading etc.... not really all that hard.

[2008bangkok]

Im suprised that the russians aint got him out already.....

You know what now i have got cable iv been watchin alot of Fox News, i find it alot more acurate than either BBC or Al Ja thing...

ill be keepin half of an eye on this and the other half on that and see if i can come up to speed..

but please continue the mud

[Richard W]

Ouch..... A simple Google search will show he violated arms blockageds by the U.N., Blood Diamond trading etc.... not really all that hard.

What relevance does this have to the charges the USA is attempting to extradite him on?

[henryalleman]

Im suprised that the russians aint got him out already.....

You know what now i have got cable iv been watchin alot of Fox News, i find it alot more acurate than either BBC or Al Ja thing... This is the best joke of 2008 calling Fox an trustworthy TV station. Did they not fabricate news items of cheering Iracis welcoming the US troops.

ill be keepin half of an eye on this and the other half on that and see if i can come up to speed..

but please continue the mud

Anyhow this Russsian guy is very lucky, because the normal CIA procedures is kindknbapping this guy and put him in some secret CIA flight to some secret torture jail in Roumania, Egypt or Syria (btw a so called terrorist state)

[Plus]

His hearing has been postponed until March because a couple of Thai Navy guys didn't show up to testify. By that time it would be a year in jail for him.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/8590...-off-till-march