Suspected Russian Arms Dealer Viktor Bout Extradited
- 13 years ago
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Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout arrived in New York from Thailand late on Tuesday to face terrorism charges in the U.S.
The 43-year-old former Soviet air force officer, dubbed the "Merchant of Death", faces accusations of trafficking arms since the 1990s to dictators and conflict zones in Africa, South America and the Middle East.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says, “His alleged arms trafficking activity and support of armed conflicts in Africa has been a cause of concern around the world. His extradition is a victory for the rule of law worldwide."
Bout had been fighting extradition since he was arrested in Bangkok in March 2008, in a U.S.-led sting operation.
Holder says Mr. Bout will now appear in federal court in Manhattan to answer to charges of conspiring to sell millions of dollars' worth of weapons to a terrorist organization for use in trying to kill Americans.
Bout, who has long evaded U.N. and U.S. sanctions aimed at blocking his finances and restricting his travels, claims he's an innocent businessman.
In a statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry has described Bout's extradition as politically motivated and says that it could undermine strengthening U.S.-Russian ties.
The U.S. State Department, which pushed for Bout's extradition, says it’s confident there will be no impact on bilateral ties.
Suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout arrived in New York from Thailand late on Tuesday to face terrorism charges in the U.S.
The 43-year-old former Soviet air force officer, dubbed the "Merchant of Death", faces accusations of trafficking arms since the 1990s to dictators and conflict zones in Africa, South America and the Middle East.
In a statement, U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder says, “His alleged arms trafficking activity and support of armed conflicts in Africa has been a cause of concern around the world. His extradition is a victory for the rule of law worldwide."
Bout had been fighting extradition since he was arrested in Bangkok in March 2008, in a U.S.-led sting operation.
Holder says Mr. Bout will now appear in federal court in Manhattan to answer to charges of conspiring to sell millions of dollars' worth of weapons to a terrorist organization for use in trying to kill Americans.
Bout, who has long evaded U.N. and U.S. sanctions aimed at blocking his finances and restricting his travels, claims he's an innocent businessman.
In a statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry has described Bout's extradition as politically motivated and says that it could undermine strengthening U.S.-Russian ties.
The U.S. State Department, which pushed for Bout's extradition, says it’s confident there will be no impact on bilateral ties.