US prosecutors filed new charges this week in their global pursuit of the suspected Russian arms dealer, Viktor Bout, dubbed the ‘Merchant of Death’. The updated indictment charges that Bout and his former business associate, Richard Chichakli – a Syrian-born American last reported to be living in Moscow - conspired to violate United Nations sanctions aimed at stopping bloody fighting in Africa by using a series of shell companies to try to purchase two planes from US … [Read more...] about US tightens noose on ‘Merchant of Death’
Viktor Bout
THAILAND: ‘Merchant of Death’ extradition rejected
Thailand’s government has said it will appeal against a Thai court’s decision rejecting a US request for the extradition of Russian alleged arms dealer Viktor Bout. Bout, who has been dubbed the “Merchant of Deathâ€Â, has been fighting extradition since his March 2008 arrest in Bangkok while allegedly agreeing to supply missiles to Colombian rebels via his air cargo business. A Bangkok court on Tuesday said that it did not have the authority to order the … [Read more...] about THAILAND: ‘Merchant of Death’ extradition rejected
Thai “Merchant of Death†verdict in August
Judges in Thailand said they would give until 30 June for closing statements on a US request for the extradition of a Russian who is alleged to be an international arms dealer dubbed the "Merchant of Death." Viktor Bout has been fighting extradition since his March 2008 arrest in Bangkok on charges that he peddled weapons that were used in some of the world's most violent conflicts, to customers including Al-Qaeda, Abu Sayyaf (Philippines), Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone, the … [Read more...] about Thai “Merchant of Death†verdict in August
