Russian arms dealer Victor Bout arrives in NY after extradition

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Russian arms dealer Victor Bout arrives in NY after extradition

2010-11-17 20:04:14 GMT+7 (ICT)

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- Russian alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout on Wednesday arrived in New York after being extradited from Thailand where he was imprisoned since March 2008, officials said.

On Tuesday, Bout, 44, boarded a 20-seat U.S. government plane at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok at 1:27 p.m. local time, as around 50 members of the police force, including snipers, made sure the extradition was carried out without any surprises.

Dubbed as the "Merchant of Death," Bout had been immersed in a long episode of controversy in which both the U.S. and Russia fought for his extradition since his arrest over 2 years ago during a joint U.S.-Thai operation in a Bangkok hotel.

The operation led to conspiracy charges of selling weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The U.S. then requested his extradition as he is accused of trafficking arms to warlords around the world since the 1990s.

However, the extradition, which was ruled in an appeals court on August 20, was delayed in October because of legal issues regarding a second set of charges that included money laundering and fraud.

Bout, who is also a former Soviet air force officer, has denied the charges, saying he was on a business trip selling planes.

"His extradition is a victory for the rule of law worldwide," U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder said, adding that he has been considered as "one of the world's most prolific arms trafficker."

Bout's wife, Alla Bout has vowed to prove her husband's freedom as she is currently awaiting a U.S. Visa in order to travel to New York.

"Viktor is not guilty, and I will support him and continue doing my best to release him. Justice should be served in this case, and I will fight for it, either here in Thailand or in the United States," she said.

Bout had been requested to be extradited by Russia as media speculations say he could reveal military secrets and intelligence operations, and on Tuesday, the Russian embassy in Bangkok said it did not receive notice of his extradition to the U.S., prompting Lak Nitivat, Bout's Thai lawyer to call it "illegal."

"The things that are happening today are absolutely outrageous," Nitivat said Tuesday, adding that Bout's wife had not been notified either.

Bout is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.

He will be facing up to life in prison for four terrorism charges in the U.S., including conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals, conspiracy to kill U.S. officers or employees, conspiracy to acquire an anti-aircraft missile and conspiracy to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist group.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-11-17

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