[QODLink]
Asia-Pacific
Decks cleared for Bout extradition
Thai court drops new charges against alleged arms smuggler, removing last hurdle for extradition to US.
Last Modified: 05 Oct 2010 16:01 GMT

A Thai court has dismissed money-laundering and fraud charges against Viktor Bout, the alleged Russian arms smuggler, removing the last legal obstacle for his extradition to the US where he is wanted on "terrorism" charges.
  
The former Soviet air force officer could soon be sent to the US, where he is accused of trafficking weapons to dictators and conflict zones across the world since the 1990s.

It is now up to Thailand's government to decide whether the man nicknamed The Merchant of Death will be extradited to the country, which has been seeking his extradition for more than two years and where he may face life in prison if convicted.

Aela Callan reports from Bangkok.

Source:
Al Jazeera
Topics in this article
People
Country
City
Organisation
Featured on Al Jazeera
The story of Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood and its emergence into the political arena after decades of suppression.
People & Power goes undercover to reveal how 'voluntourism' could be fuelling the exploitation of Cambodian children.
Facebook's now-public status may encourage its board and policy staff to respond to privacy, free expression concerns.
Two prominent figures in the American establishment break away from the mould and chastise the GOP - but is it enough?
Spotlight
Latest news and analysis as Egyptians elect first new president in post-Mubarak political era.
In-depth coverage of an escalating regional debate about Iran's geopolitical power and the West.
Violence continues as UN observers are deployed to monitor both sides' compliance with a peace plan.
join our mailing list

Enter Zip Code
Go