U.S. says appeal in Bout extradition case up to Thai government
WASHINGTON. August 12. KAZINFORM. The United States will await a decision from the Thai government before making any further steps in the extradition case against an alleged Russian arms dealer, the State Department has said; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
A Bangkok court on Tuesday turned down a U.S. request for the extradition of Russian businessman Viktor Bout, wanted by Washington on suspicion of illegal arms trafficking.
"Obviously, we're disappointed in the court decision...but as to what steps Thailand takes, at this point, it will be up to the Thai Government," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.
The court said Thai prosecutors have 72 hours to decide whether to appeal the ruling.
Former Russian army officer Bout, 42, was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 during a sting operation led by U.S. agents. The United States has accused Bout of conspiring with others to sell millions of dollars' worth of weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), among other illegal arms deals, and "threatening lives of U.S. citizens."
The businessman, who has spent over a year in a Thai prison, has been facing extradition and trial in the United States after Thai authorities earlier announced that they would not press charges.
If convicted in the U.S. on the terrorism-related charges, he could be sentenced to life in prison; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.