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

BBC News, 5 October 2010 Last updated at 08:33 GMT 

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.

Viktor Bout is alleged to have sold arms
to warlords in Africa and Afghanistan

Mr Bout was to be extradited in August, to face trial for conspiring to sell weapons to a Colombian rebel group.

But it was postponed while the extra charges brought by the US were heard.

The US and Russia have been squabbling over his fate since his 2008 arrest in a joint Thai-US sting operation.

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After more than 15 years of allegedly running guns to African warlords and Islamic militants, Mr Bout was arrested at a Bangkok hotel by US agents posing as Colombian Farc rebels, after he allegedly tried to sell them weapons.

Mr Bout, dubbed the Merchant of Death by a British politician, is pleading not guilty to charges of conspiracy to sell arms to Colombian rebels.

He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.

Legal bottleneck

An appeals court ordered Mr Bout's extradition on 20 August, and ruled that it must take place within three months.

But his extradition was delayed by a legal bottleneck over extra charges of money laundering and fraud, lodged by the US against Mr Bout in February to ensure he was not set free.

On Monday the Bangkok Criminal Court rejected a US and Thai request to drop the extra charges, saying the legal proceedings, which had already started, must continue.

But the judge agreed to fast-track the hearing to Tuesday. It said the case was dropped due to lack of evidence and other technicalities.

The 20 August ruling still stands. It was not immediately clear whether Mr Bout could appeal.

Moscow has been demanding his release, saying that Mr Bout is an innocent businessman.

Mr Bout, a former Russian air force officer, is thought to have knowledge of Russia's military and intelligence operations.

Analysts say Moscow is perhaps worried he might turn state witness on trial in the US, and there may be some secrets they would rather not have him spill.