WAR: Global Arms - Trafficking Network Designated by US (Update: Viktor Bout Extradited)

Viktor Bout may well have been the face and the name of this company , but things like this never start on the back of one mans ambition. He may have set the ball rolling but you can bet the moment the intelligence services of virtualy any interested nation got word of his work, that they had thier hooks in his business. After all , there are only two certainties in life, death and taxes, and not all taxes get taken by bookish gentlemen who sit behind desks. Im sure you know what I mean.

Today, Thailand's state attorney asked the criminal court to withdraw the extra charges against Viktor Bout. It seems like we may get the answer to this on October 4. If the extra charges are dropped, the extradition may take place without any further delays.


Thai Prosecutor Seeks to Withdraw Charges Against Russian Bout

Sept. 2 (Bloomberg) -- Thailand’s state attorney asked the nation’s criminal court to withdraw new charges against suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a move that may accelerate plans to extradite him to the U.S.

A Thai court ruled Aug. 20 that Bout can be extradited to the U.S. to face terrorism charges after two years in detention. The extradition was stalled when Thailand’s state attorney filed six additional charges, including money laundering, against Bout. The request to have those charges withdrawn will be heard on Oct. 4, according to documents filed by the state attorney today.

Thailand’s Prime Minister will pass the final decision...

...on Viktor Bout's extradition. He met with President Obama in Washington on Friday.


RIA Novosti: Thai PM says will have decisive word in jailed Russian arms dealer's case

26/09/2010


Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Wechachiwa said on Sunday that the case of alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout whom the United States wants extradited and Moscow wants repatriated was in the courts but he would have to make the final decision

Fears for Viktor Bout's life.

Security tightened.


Security tightened amid fears for Bout`s life

Sep 26, 2010


Security measures have been tightened at a Thai prison amid fears for life of Viktor Bout, a Russian businessman who has been kept there. The news comes from Bout’s wife Alla.

Viktor Bout Extradition

On Monday, Bangkok Criminal Court will rule whether they'll agree to drop the extra charges against Viktor Bout. If the extra charges are dropped, it'll speed up the extradition process. However, Viktor Bout might object to the extra charges against him being dropped (if the court decides to do that), in order to stall the process further.


Thai PM has final say on Viktor Bout extradition

Thailand's prime minister said Thursday he will have the final say in the politically sensitive extradition of alleged Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout to the United States, noting that one side is bound to be disappointed

[---]

Asked if he was concerned about the outcome, he replied, "Definitely."

[---]

The U.S. has requested the extra charges of money laundering and wire fraud be dropped, and the Bangkok Criminal Court will rule Monday on whether it agrees to do that.

However, under Thai law a defendant has the right to object to charges against him being dropped. That means Bout could object to dropping the charges as a way to stall his extradition, a stance that his lawyer has said he will take.

Viktor Bout is in court now. He's wearing a bulletproof vest


Viktor Bout wears flak jacket to Bangkok court

55 minutes ago

BANGKOK — Alleged Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout arrived at a Bangkok court Monday in a bulletproof vest for a crucial hearing that could finally determine if he will be extradited to the United States.

Link 2

Bout arrived at court Monday with armed commandoes, apparently reflecting new concerns for his safety. He wore a flak jacket for the first time in several court appearances, in addition to his standard ankle shackles. The Russian was also driven to court in his own security van, rather than riding with other prisoners.

The extradition was stalled again...


Thai court rules against dropping extra Bout charges

Oct 4 (Reuters) - A Thai court ruled on Monday against dropping extra changes against suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, a decision that could complicate efforts by the United States to extradite him

Thai court dismiss extra charges

...and the extradition is back on!


BBC: 'Merchant of death' Viktor Bout extradition 'back on'

A Thai court has dismissed charges of money laundering and fraud against alleged Russian arms smuggler Viktor Bout, removing the last legal obstacle for his extradition to the US.

Speedy Extradition

The Thai PM had "the final say", remember? And seeing the development in the past few days, I suspect that they'll send VB to the US very soon. I don't think there's anything VB can do now, to stall the extradition process any further. His previously mentioned right to protest the dismissal of the extra charges are perhaps overruled by the Thai PM, or something... Anyway, it seems like they're determined to send him to the US now.


US expects Bout's 'speedy extradition' from Thailand

(AFP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — US President Barack Obama's administration said Tuesday it looks forward to alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout's "speedy extradition" to the United States from Thailand.

A Thai court earlier dismissed money-laundering and fraud charges against Bout, removing a major obstacle to his extradition to the United States.

"We look forward to having Victor Bout in a prison near us very soon," State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters.

Viktor Bout filed a new appeal.


Bout Files New Appeal

11 October 2010


Accused arms trafficker Viktor Bout filed a last-ditch appeal Friday to try to stall his extradition to the United States, where he faces terrorism charges.

Bout's lawyer, Lak Nittiwattanawichan, said the Bangkok Criminal Court has not said whether it will agree to hear the appeal.

The effort would appear to lack legal standing, since the court's ruling Tuesday that Bout is seeking to appeal said prosecutors, rather than the defense, had the right to appeal.

The court's dismissal Tuesday of additional charges against Bout cleared the way for a previous ruling allowing the extradition to proceed. The earlier decision said the extradition must take place within 90 days, or by Nov. 20.

Der Spiegel. Interview with Viktor Bout.


'There Has Been an Outright Witch Hunt Against Me'

10/11/2010


Bout: None of this is true. The Americans presumably believe that Hollywood film "Lord of War." There has been an outright witch hunt against me. The Americans have destroyed my business and my family. And they have taken away my money.

SPIEGEL: Who do you expect to believe that? UN investigations in Angola have shown that you supplied both factions in the civil war with arms. In Rwanda you allegedly armed rebels and government troops. And you purportedly supplied Liberian dictator Charles Taylor with arms.

Bout: This Africa business has been blown entirely out of proportion and they have made a mountain out of a molehill there.

SPIEGEL: Have you dealt in arms? Yes or no?

Bout: I have transported arms. I transported arms for the Angolan government. I flew arms to Congo-Brazzaville. In the mid-1990s, I flew -- only transported, not sold! -- arms to the Afghan government of Ahmed Shah Massoud and Burhanuddin Rabbani. I also transported French troops, to "Opération Turquoise," for example

Visit the article to read the full interview.

If VB is going to be extradited the US, it'll have to happen soon.


Freedom in sight for Viktor Bout

11/11/2010


Viktor Bout, suspected arms smuggler and dubbed the Merchant of Death, could soon be a free man.

Nov.20 is the deadline for the Russian businessman to be extradited to the US on what Moscow regards as trumped up charges of smuggling. That handover date marks three months since the Americans first submitted a request for his extradition, the Voice of Russia reported.

“We hope that …by virtue of this three month termination clause he will be released. If this does not happen then we would consider it to be unlawful,” Viktor Burobin, one of Bout’s lawyers, told Interfax.

Viktor Bout may me released this Friday.


Victor Bout may be released this Friday

Nov 15, 2010 09:47 Moscow Time


The Thai Prosecutor-General does not rule out that a Russian businessman Victor Bout maybe released from custody on November 19th.

Sirisak Tiyapan points out that the Thai court decision to extradite Bout to the United States expires this coming Friday.

Why can't they send him to the US before Friday? This is a strange case indeed...

Here are two more links to the story about Viktor Bout's possible release on Friday.


ITAR-TASS: Viktor Bout may be released Nov 19 – Thai prosecutor

RIA Novosti: Alleged arms dealer Bout's remand period expires on Friday

If he is not extradited by November 20, he must be released and sent back to Russia.

Viktor Bout has been extradited!


BBC: Viktor Bout 'leaves Thailand to face US trial'

Alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout has been extradited to the United States from Thailand, say Thai officials.

He's no longer in Bangkok. I wonder when he'll arrive to the US.


BBC:

He was flown out of Bangkok shortly after the Thai cabinet backed the extradition request after months of legal wrangling.

Viktor Bout's wife was too late.


BBC:

His wife, Alla Bout, who has been a frequently tearful figure at Mr Bout's court hearings over more than two years of detention since he was arrested, appeared outside the prison in an apparent attempt to see her husband before he left - but she was too late.

Holy arms dealer Batman.

This news is explosive!

The things he could tell "under duress".

Originally posted by Hellmutt

I wonder when he'll arrive to the US.

alleged Russian arms dealer will be landing in New York 9pm EST today

Viktor Bout expected to land in New York 9pm EST today

Viktor Bout has landed in New York.


Voice of Russia: Victor Bout has landed in New York

Nov 17, 2010 07:29 Moscow Time


On Tuesday, Russian businessman Viktor Bout was delivered to New York from Thailand. He arrived in the United States aboard an aircraft chartered by the Americans.

Here he is:


"Viktor Bout Lands in the U.S."