Thailand Extradites Alleged Russian Arms Dealer to US

Thailand has extradited suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to the United States to stand trial on terrorism charges, ignoring appeals from Moscow to let him return home.

Thai authorities transferred Bout Tuesday from a Bangkok prison to a U.S. government-chartered plane that left the Thai capital in the early afternoon local time. Several officials of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration accompanied Bout on the flight.

Bout is expected to arrive in New York late Tuesday. Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said his Cabinet approved the extradition of the 43-year-old Russian earlier in the day, a move long sought by Washington and opposed by Moscow.

The United States wants to try Bout on charges of conspiring to kill Americans and supporting a terrorist organization. It has described him as one of the world’s most prolific arms traffickers and accuses him of selling weapons that fueled conflicts in Africa, South America and the Middle East.

Thai authorities arrested Bout in Bangkok in 2008 in a sting operation involving U.S. agents posing as arms buyers for Colombia’s FARC rebel movement. He faces life in prison if convicted. Bout says he ran a legitimate air cargo business.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry denounced the extradition of the former Soviet air force pilot as illegal and politically motivated. It said the move raises doubt about the independence of the Thai justice system.

Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov told Russia’s Interfax news agency that U.S. authorities must grant Russian diplomats immediate access to Bout to ensure that his rights will be respected.

U.S. State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said Tuesday Bout’s extradition is “fully consistent” with U.S.-Thailand agreements and with international law. He said Washington is aware of Moscow’s feelings about the issue, but does not expect it to hurt their relations.

Russian officials in Bangkok complained that Thai authorities rushed the extradition without informing the Russian Embassy or giving Bout’s wife a chance to see him before the flight.

A Thai court initially rejected Washington’s request for Bout’s extradition in August 2009. An appeals court reversed that ruling in August of this year.