Thailand To Extradite Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout To US: PM Abhisit

[brahmburgers]

If Bout is convicted, he won't get death. He will get a long prison term with no parole, much like Panama's Noriega.

Compared to most other countries, prisons in the US are ok. If he had a kick-ass attorney like O.J's Johnny Cochran, then he might get off - but the proceedings in a US federal court won't be at all like the circus which Cochran created at OJ's trial in the boobs & tubes, brain-on-vacation Sodomville called L.A.

[maxman71]

I guess America had more to offer - or more to take away from Thailand.

And the post regarding the fairness of the American justice system is laughable. Do a little research and you will see the the reality of the harshness of the sentences that are handed out at random in the 'land of the free and home of the brave'.

Please enlighten us all the countries that offer a more fair system of justice. Of course there are countries who's idea of issuing justice to those convicted consists of treatment and confinement more in line of a country club. I was once wrongfully accused of crimes in the US, and while it took some time, it all got sorted out and my record was wiped clean. Please inform us, Oh Enlightened One, if Russia, China, Thailand, etc. would afford such treatment.

I don't know, if I was wrongly accused, I would be hoping that I had my day in court somewhere in Western Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, or New Zealand before the US. Don't get me wrong, I'd choose the US before most of the other countries in the world, but it is the 'we're the best' and 'we have the most fair justice system in the world' that makes me want to vomit.

But don't take my word for it.

The Economist

Crime and punishment in America - Rough justice

America locks up too many people, some for acts that should not even be criminal

http://www.economist.com/node/16640389

and

Investors Put Money on Lawsuits to Get Payouts

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/15/business/15lawsuit.html

Large banks, hedge funds and private investors hungry for new and lucrative opportunities are bankrolling other people’s lawsuits, pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into medical malpractice claims, divorce battles and class actions against corporations — all in the hope of sharing in the potential winnings.

and then come back and post why all of that is okay and why America's justice system should be a beacon of hope to the world.

You don't have to vomit; I'll vomit for you. Try looking into how Oz, for example, treats their Aboriginals in their "justice" system. Yeah, sure, many Euroland countries treat hardened criminals like they are an endangered species at the expense of public safety.

[SomTumTiger]

Ok, Maxman, I give up. The US is the greatest country in the history of all humanity. It's justice system is superior to that of any nation. If you are wrongly accused of a crime in the US, don't worry, the courts will surely set you free - and if somehow they don't, well another country couldn't have done any better. All sentences are fair and just and the judges who apologize before handing down harsh sentences - because they have been stripped of any power to actually judge, well they are just whiny little pacifists!

Then we are in agreement

[maxman71]

Ok, Maxman, I give up. The US is the greatest country in the history of all humanity. It's justice system is superior to that of any nation. If you are wrongly accused of a crime in the US, don't worry, the courts will surely set you free - and if somehow they don't, well another country couldn't have done any better. All sentences are fair and just and the judges who apologize before handing down harsh sentences - because they have been stripped of any power to actually judge, well they are just whiny little pacifists!

Fine, Chiang Mai Thai, please go about the task of taxing and spending to raise your country's army to defend against whatever threats you deem dangerous. And did I say the US system was the best, all sentences fair, etc??? No, I did not. Another ploy by far-left liberal pacifists; putting words in another's mouth.

[webfact]

Bout poised for extradition to US

By The Nation

The extradition of Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout is in the final stage, a chief prosecutor said on Tuesday, following the Cabinet endorsement to send him for trial in the United States.

"Prosecutors and relevant authorities are making final checks for any legal hurdles on the extradition," Sirisak Tiyapan said.

Barring the discovery of new hurdles, the process to send Bout might complete within this afternoon, he said.

At issue is about the appellate petition filed by Bout's lawyer related to the second extradition request, he said.

Although the court has approved the extradition as per the first extradition request, the defence is trying to seek the appeallate review on the second request, he said, explaining the delay.

If checks on the appellate process found no new hurdles, then the extradition of Bout can proceed right away, he said.

-- The Nation 2010-11-16

[garrfeild]

<br />

<br />It was only a matter of time.<br /><br />Have a safe trip to the plane, dude!<br />I am sure once airborne he can relax a bit with<br />the target removed from his forehead.<br />

<br /><br /><br />It was only a matter of time, glad to see the U.S. is adamant that this man will stand trial and be accountable. If he is innocent as he says, then no harm. I doubt though, that the U.S. govt would go to these great lengths unless it had an iron tight reason. As an American, I think our justice system (while not perfect) does its best to ferret out right and wrong.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

It is a shame that this guy was setup by the Thai and US authoraties in a sting opperation. Ok so maybe he took the bait, but if some people offered you millions to do a deal could you resist. Its a load of BS. About time the US took care of the thugs in it's own country rather tan trying to set up foreign nationals, in foeriegn countries.

How many millions was the Thai government offered to allow the extradition? The whole thing stinks.

Edited November 16, 2010 by garrfeild

[Sigmond]

This case, I believe, is nothing but politics. It will help people forget the now (in)famous alleged "arms of mass destruction"...

Just an episode in little war between two secret services.

[chops]

The time is fast approaching when the US will not be able to pull this rubbish any longer. A country with 4% of the population can't keep dominating the world like this. The clock is ticking..

[Colabamumbai]

20 commandos & 4 US officials are going to Bang Kwang Prison preparing to take Viktor Bout to still unidentified airport. /via@nnanews /vi atukky_nt

Well with two choices I'd pick Don Muang airport.

[maxman71]

<br />

<br />It was only a matter of time.<br /><br />Have a safe trip to the plane, dude!<br />I am sure once airborne he can relax a bit with<br />the target removed from his forehead.<br />

<br /><br /><br />It was only a matter of time, glad to see the U.S. is adamant that this man will stand trial and be accountable. If he is innocent as he says, then no harm. I doubt though, that the U.S. govt would go to these great lengths unless it had an iron tight reason. As an American, I think our justice system (while not perfect) does its best to ferret out right and wrong.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

It is a shame that this guy was setup by the Thai and US authoraties in a sting opperation. Ok so maybe he took the bait, but if some people offered you millions to do a deal could you resist. Its a load of BS. About time the US took care of the thugs in it's own country rather tan trying to set up foreign nationals, in foeriegn countries.

How many millions was the Thai government offered to allow the extradition? The whole thing stinks.

Geez, were you born naive, or is it an acquired attribute from the Book of Winnie the Pooh and Hot Chocolate??? How else would go about nabbing someone as crafty and shrewd as Bout???

[ChiangMaiThai]

Ok, Maxman, I give up. The US is the greatest country in the history of all humanity. It's justice system is superior to that of any nation. If you are wrongly accused of a crime in the US, don't worry, the courts will surely set you free - and if somehow they don't, well another country couldn't have done any better. All sentences are fair and just and the judges who apologize before handing down harsh sentences - because they have been stripped of any power to actually judge, well they are just whiny little pacifists!

Fine, Chiang Mai Thai, please go about the task of taxing and spending to raise your country's army to defend against whatever threats you deem dangerous. And did I say the US system was the best, all sentences fair, etc??? No, I did not. Another ploy by far-left liberal pacifists; putting words in another's mouth.

Are you an anchor for Fox News? If not, you have a new career waiting for you.

[jdinasia]

It is a shame that this guy was setup by the Thai and US authoraties in a sting opperation. Ok so maybe he took the bait, but if some people offered you millions to do a deal could you resist. Its a load of BS. About time the US took care of the thugs in it's own country rather tan trying to set up foreign nationals, in foeriegn countries.

How many millions was the Thai government offered to allow the extradition? The whole thing stinks.

Sorry,

But the nature of a 'sting' is not a "set-up". A sting is by its nature an undercover operation to catch people who are already committing crimes. Illegal arms shipments supplying groups like FARC etc certainly fits the bill of what ALL governments should actively be working to end.

If you were talking entrapment then it would be a different matter entirely. That isn't the case here.

edit to add ---- please document any offer of "millions" offered to the Thai government by the US to make this happen.

Edited November 16, 2010 by jdinasia

[maxman71]

The time is fast approaching when the US will not be able to pull this rubbish any longer. A country with 4% of the population can't keep dominating the world like this. The clock is ticking..

You make a good point. There are many in the US, myself included, who are fed up with being taxed to keep up a "defense" budget greater than the all the rest of the worlds' countries combined. So please, go about the business of taxing and spending to raise your own defense so the US can tend to much unfinished domestic affairs. But you don't have the gonads for it.

[Krungbin]

I guess America had more to offer - or more to take away from Thailand.

And the post regarding the fairness of the American justice system is laughable. Do a little research and you will see the the reality of the harshness of the sentences that are handed out at random in the 'land of the free and home of the brave'.

Please enlighten us all the countries that offer a more fair system of justice. Of course there are countries who's idea of issuing justice to those convicted consists of treatment and confinement more in line of a country club. I was once wrongfully accused of crimes in the US, and while it took some time, it all got sorted out and my record was wiped clean. Please inform us, Oh Enlightened One, if Russia, China, Thailand, etc. would afford such treatment.

I don't know, if I was wrongly accused, I would be hoping that I had my day in court somewhere in Western Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, or New Zealand before the US. Don't get me wrong, I'd choose the US before most of the other countries in the world, but it is the 'we're the best' and 'we have the most fair justice system in the world' that makes me want to vomit.

But don't take my word for it.

The Economist

Crime and punishment in America - Rough justice

America locks up too many people, some for acts that should not even be criminal

http://www.economist.com/node/16640389

and

Investors Put Money on Lawsuits to Get Payouts

http://www.nytimes.c.../15lawsuit.html

Large banks, hedge funds and private investors hungry for new and lucrative opportunities are bankrolling other people's lawsuits, pumping hundreds of millions of dollars into medical malpractice claims, divorce battles and class actions against corporations — all in the hope of sharing in the potential winnings.

and then come back and post why all of that is okay and why America's justice system should be a beacon of hope to the world.

You don't have to vomit; I'll vomit for you. Try looking into how Oz, for example, treats their Aboriginals in their "justice" system. Yeah, sure, many Euroland countries treat hardened criminals like they are an endangered species at the expense of public safety.

Maxman 71, if I were you, I would not dare raising the subject of how Oz "treats their Aboriginals". Might perhaps have a good look first on how the US have been - and still are - treating their own "natives". In 2010 (!) some tribal nations still have big problems to get their heritage established and are pursuing litigation in the federal court system to establish recognition! As for the African Americans...

[webfact]

UPDATE

Viktor Bout leaves Thailand on US jet: police

BANGKOK, November 16, 2010 (AFP) - Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was flown out of Bangkok Tuesday on a US special jet, a senior police official said after Thailand approved his extradition on terrorism charges.

"Bout already left Thai soil at 1:27 pm (0627 GMT) from Don Mueang airport," Colonel Supisarn Bhakdinarunart, commander of Thailand's Crime Suppression Division, told AFP.

"He left on a US jet escorted by six officials," Supisarn said. "I myself sent him off."

Bout, a 43-year-old former Soviet air force pilot, had been fighting extradition since his March 2008 arrest after a sting operation in Bangkok involving undercover US agents posing as Colombian FARC rebels.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-16

[Colabamumbai]

UPDATE

Viktor Bout leaves Thailand on US jet: police

BANGKOK, November 16, 2010 (AFP) - Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was flown out of Bangkok Tuesday on a US special jet, a senior police official said after Thailand approved his extradition on terrorism charges.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-16

Well that did not take long now did it.

[jdinasia]

UPDATE

Viktor Bout leaves Thailand on US jet: police

BANGKOK, November 16, 2010 (AFP) - Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was flown out of Bangkok Tuesday on a US special jet, a senior police official said after Thailand approved his extradition on terrorism charges.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-11-16

And thus ends the Thailand connection with Victor Bout

[junglist]

Karma full circle...

[Buchholz]

Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was escorted by police from a Bangkok prison Tuesday and was on his way to immigration ahead of his imminent extradition to the US, his lawyer said.

"Police from the Crime Suppression Division took him to the immigration office," his lawyer Lak Nithiwatanawicharn said outside Bang Kwang maximum security prison where Bout had been held.

Had to pay his overstay fine before leaving?

[whybother]

Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was escorted by police from a Bangkok prison Tuesday and was on his way to immigration ahead of his imminent extradition to the US, his lawyer said.

"Police from the Crime Suppression Division took him to the immigration office," his lawyer Lak Nithiwatanawicharn said outside Bang Kwang maximum security prison where Bout had been held.

Had to pay his overstay fine before leaving?

Hasn't he overstayed more than 42 days? He should have been thrown in prison.

[Just1Voice]

"Methinks thou protest too loudly"

Benny Hinn

That's my take on the Russian's objections. By that I mean if Bout were just an "ordinary businessman", I don't think they would be making such a big deal out of it. In my opinion it's very possible that he (Bout) does have information that the Russians would be very uncomfortable with the American's knowing, which, if true, could actually work to Bout's favor. If he refuses to talk and stands by his "not guilty" plea, it's probably 99.9% guaranteed that he's going to be found guilty. However, if he is offered the right "deal" by the U.S., then he might decide to talk and reveal all that he knows, resulting in reduce charges and a lesser sentence. Full cooperation with the U.S. might even result in a new identity under the Witness Protection Program. It's going to be interesting to see how it all plays out.

In the meantime, I also think Russia, if they truly are worried that he might talk and reveal things, they will do anything and everything they can to permanently silence him.

[Buchholz]

Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout was flown out of Bangkok Tuesday on a US special jet, a senior police official said after Thailand approved his extradition on terrorism charges.

Well that did not take long now did it.

Yep. Looks to be just about only an hour or so after:

"The cabinet has approved the extradition of Bout," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva told reporters. "He will be extradited whenever the US is ready."

[Spalpeen]

America - The biggest arms dealer in the world.

Russia - The second biggest arms dealer in the world.

Both of them refuse to stop selling cluster bombs and land mines.

.

Victor Bout - A Russian freelance arms dealer who worked for anyone that paid, including both the American and Russian governments. Whatever is really going on here it has nothing at all to do with "Justice".

Edited November 16, 2010 by Spalpeen

[soidog52]

I guess America had more to offer - or more to take away from Thailand.

And the post regarding the fairness of the American justice system is laughable. Do a little research and you will see the the reality of the harshness of the sentences that are handed out at random in the 'land of the free and home of the brave'.

Please enlighten us all the countries that offer a more fair system of justice. Of course there are countries who's idea of issuing justice to those convicted consists of treatment and confinement more in line of a country club. I was once wrongfully accused of crimes in the US, and while it took some time, it all got sorted out and my record was wiped clean. Please inform us, Oh Enlightened One, if Russia, China, Thailand, etc. would afford such treatment.

I am interested to know where the enlightened one comes from that makes the US Justice system seem laughable??? I guess the 3 strikes an you're out law is pretty harsh when you compare it to Europe where you get a hand slap no matter how many times you break the law.

[papalord]

I m against Thailand's law,the crime was never committed,the plane had asked for refueling only and the place was in thailand the goods were going somewhere but not to the united states,no crime was committed on the soil of the united states then why americans are allowed to arrest him,just because he was their compititor in arms sale.wait and see the consiquence it will lead to.

[slapout]

I guess America had more to offer - or more to take away from Thailand.

And the post regarding the fairness of the American justice system is laughable. Do a little research and you will see the the reality of the harshness of the sentences that are handed out at random in the 'land of the free and home of the brave'.

Everyone has the right to express their opinion about a system, judicial, political, etc, with which they disagree. Those who cite a better system or propose a better method will have my support. The laws of nature seemed to work very efficiently until mankind entered into the picture. I suppose that we will be burdened with a non perfect world until we eliminate that pesky joker (humans) in the deck.

[ChiangMaiThai]

This is all about: "Who's in control". While the US is in nominal control of the planet, cracks are appearing everywhere. Their foreign policy in Africa for the last 50 years set the continent back about another 50 years. Their insistence on one man one vote and so forth, destined their greatest ally in the West to a satellite status. This in turn created a moral and power vacuum which will never be filled. The press ignores the reality of the communist insurgence in the face of racial equality.

Next we have SE Asia. Who dumped more bombs in this region than all of the bombs dropped in Germany? Who started a war for exactly what reason we'll never know? Who didn't support free elections in Vietnam? Who hired statisticians and accountants to determine war casualty acceptability? Who would declare war on a country of rice farmers anyway?

Is this the kind of justice you are talking about? What about IRAQ and Afghanistan? The justifications are there, but the reality is that we simply make the unacceptable more radical by militarizing conflicts that we will never win. Weapons of mass destruction? I don't think so. Never any evidence. Why didn't they listen to experts? A matter of inconvenience when you are serving self interests of arms and oil and your family is in the business. Who are the biggest arms proponents in the world? I think the initials are GB don't you???? OK it is geopolitical rivalry.

OK Blunt is an irresponsible arms salesman. By the way, how many people are shot every Saturday night in the US???

Finally a post that makes sense.

[rotary]

I guess America had more to offer - or more to take away from Thailand.

And the post regarding the fairness of the American justice system is laughable. Do a little research and you will see the the reality of the harshness of the sentences that are handed out at random in the 'land of the free and home of the brave'.

Everyone has the right to express their opinion about a system, judicial, political, etc, with which they disagree. Those who cite a better system or propose a better method will have my support. The laws of nature seemed to work very efficiently until mankind entered into the picture. I suppose that we will be burdened with a non perfect world until we eliminate that pesky joker (humans) in the deck.

Another case of the USA trying to be the worlds policeman. I think it is time the USA retired from trying to drive the world. They cannot even manage their own problems on drugs and arms, what are they doing overseas giving it a try?

[DP25]

I think it's hilarious that no-one on this site realises what Russia might do in retaliation.

What exactly do you think Russia can do in retaliation?

[Lancelot]

If Bout is convicted, he won't get death. He will get a long prison term with no parole, much like Panama's Noriega.

I agree. Bout is far too valuable alive. Too much information potential and possibly a valuable pawn in a future trade. After some time in the US Bout himself might be reluctant to return to Mother Russia. I doubt he'd get a hero's welcome home now