A Thai court yesterday opened extradition hearings for alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, which could send the man dubbed the “Merchant of Death” to the US to face terrorism charges.
Thailand’s criminal court must decide whether there is enough evidence to extradite Bout to the US, where he could face life in prison for allegedly funneling arms to some of the world’s bloodiest conflict zones.
Bout did not speak to reporters as he entered the courtroom in shackles, an orange prison-issue outfit and running shoes.
The stocky former Soviet air force officer was arrested in Bangkok in March after a sting operation headed by US agents, and yesterday’s proceedings opened with Bout’s lawyers filing an appeal against his detention.
“I have submitted the petition that Viktor Bout has been detained illegally,” his Thai lawyer Preecha Prasertsak told reporters, but did not say on what grounds they were contesting the detention.
The judge told the court that a separate date would be set to discuss the petition, and opened the extradition hearings.
Lawyers questioned the first witness for the prosecution, a Thai foreign ministry official, on technical details of the arrest and extradition case. A US embassy official and Thai police officer were also due to testify yesterday.
The fourth and final prosecution witness and witnesses for the defense will be called to the stand on Oct. 10.
During the sting operation, Bout allegedly agreed to supply surface-to-air missiles to US anti-drug agents posing as rebels from Colombia’s Marxist FARC group, which Washington considers a terrorist organization.
He has been charged with conspiracy to kill US officers or employees and conspiracy to acquire and use an anti-aircraft missile.
Bout has been held at a maximum-security prison outside Bangkok since his arrest on March 6, and has complained that he has been jailed unlawfully on “fabricated American accusations.”
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