Skip to main content
Russia - Thailand - US

Russia warns US against interfering in Bout extradition

Russia has warned the United States against interfering in the case to extradite alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout from Thailand. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Wednesday his government has faith in the Thai judiciary in the case against the Russian national, who is known as "the Merchant of Death" and allegedly inspired the film Lord of War.

Reuters
Advertising

"We have no intention of interfering in the affairs of justice," he said, "and we are counting on the fact that others will not try to influence it."

He said he hoped US messages to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would not affect the outcome.

Thailand's Criminal Court dismissed money-laundering and fraud proceedings against Bout Tuesday. This cleared the way for Bout to be extradited to the United States on terrorism charges.

"We look forward to having Viktor Bout in a prison near us very soon," said US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley. He added that there had been no deal between the US and Russia, saying the idea of such an agreement was "outside the pale of the system of justice".

The 43-year-old Bout was arrested in 2008 trying to sell arms to FBI agents posing as Colombian Farc rebels. He faces life in prison if convicted in the US.

Russia has opposed the extradition.

Daily newsletterReceive essential international news every morning

Keep up to date with international news by downloading the RFI app

Share :
Page not found

The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore.