24-08-2010, 12:10 PM
From http://ibnlive.in.com/generalnewsfeed/ne...48773.html
Russia condemns Thai decision on Bout''s extradition
PTI Vinay Shukla Moscow, Aug 20 (PTI) Russia today summoned Thai ambassador here to express displeasure at a Thai court ruling to extradite an alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed as the "merchant of death" on terrorism charges, saying it will seek his repatriation from Thailand.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov qualified Thai court's verdict as 'unlawful and politically motivated'.Foreign Ministry spokesman Vladimir Kozin told Ekho Moskvy radio that Thai court decision to extradite 44-year old Viktor Bout, called by the US as "merchant of death", was politically motivated and Moscow will render all possible assistance to its citizen.Earlier today speaking in Armenian capital Yerevan Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia will seek the repatriation of Bout from Thailand. According to RIA Novosti, Meanwhile, the US Justice Department's acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G Grindler said the United States was pleased with the verdict. "We are extremely pleased that the Appeals Court in Thailand has granted the extradition of Viktor Bout to the United States on charges of conspiring to sell weapons to a terrorist organisation for use in killing Americans. We have always felt that the facts of the case, the relevant Thai law and the terms of our bilateral extradition treaty clearly supported the extradition of Mr. Bout on these charges," he said in a statement on the department's website. Grindler said the prosecution of Viktor Bout was of "utmost priority to the United States." Former Russian army officer Viktor Bout, 44, was arrested in March 2008 under a request from the United States, which accuses him of illegally trading arms.He has repeatedly denied the accusations.In August 2009, the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled in Bout's favour, denying the US extradition request due to a lack of evidence and because it believed the case to be politically motivated. However, the United States appealed the ruling and filed new charges against him. The lawyer said Friday's ruling was solely on the merits of the extradition case and did not consider whether Bout was innocent or guilty of the charges filed in the United States. The Court of Appeal has the final say on extradition cases in Thailand so there is no avenue to appeal the ruling.PTI VS
Russia condemns Thai decision on Bout''s extradition
PTI Vinay Shukla Moscow, Aug 20 (PTI) Russia today summoned Thai ambassador here to express displeasure at a Thai court ruling to extradite an alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, dubbed as the "merchant of death" on terrorism charges, saying it will seek his repatriation from Thailand.Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov qualified Thai court's verdict as 'unlawful and politically motivated'.Foreign Ministry spokesman Vladimir Kozin told Ekho Moskvy radio that Thai court decision to extradite 44-year old Viktor Bout, called by the US as "merchant of death", was politically motivated and Moscow will render all possible assistance to its citizen.Earlier today speaking in Armenian capital Yerevan Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia will seek the repatriation of Bout from Thailand. According to RIA Novosti, Meanwhile, the US Justice Department's acting Deputy Attorney General Gary G Grindler said the United States was pleased with the verdict. "We are extremely pleased that the Appeals Court in Thailand has granted the extradition of Viktor Bout to the United States on charges of conspiring to sell weapons to a terrorist organisation for use in killing Americans. We have always felt that the facts of the case, the relevant Thai law and the terms of our bilateral extradition treaty clearly supported the extradition of Mr. Bout on these charges," he said in a statement on the department's website. Grindler said the prosecution of Viktor Bout was of "utmost priority to the United States." Former Russian army officer Viktor Bout, 44, was arrested in March 2008 under a request from the United States, which accuses him of illegally trading arms.He has repeatedly denied the accusations.In August 2009, the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled in Bout's favour, denying the US extradition request due to a lack of evidence and because it believed the case to be politically motivated. However, the United States appealed the ruling and filed new charges against him. The lawyer said Friday's ruling was solely on the merits of the extradition case and did not consider whether Bout was innocent or guilty of the charges filed in the United States. The Court of Appeal has the final say on extradition cases in Thailand so there is no avenue to appeal the ruling.PTI VS
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