U.S. still hopes for soonest extradition of alleged Russian arms dealer
07:54 26/08/2010
WASHINGTON, August 26 (RIA Novosti) - A day after a reported failed attempt to snatch the suspected Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout to the U.S., a spokesman for the Department of State expressed hope that Thailand would complete the extradition process soon.
"At some point, he'll show up in a U.S. courtroom. But as – up until then, we're not going to comment on the details of the extradition other than that the – it's a Thai legal process that's underway and hopefully will conclude soon," Mark Toner told a daily press briefing.
Former Russian army officer Viktor Bout, 44, was arrested in March 2008 on a request from the United States, which accuses him of illegally trading arms. He has denied the accusations. Last Friday, the Thai appeals court ruled to extradite the Russian to the United States.
Thai English-language daily the Nation said on Tuesday that Bout would be extradited on Wednesday, though neither Thai authorities nor the Russian Foreign Ministry was aware of the United States' urgent extradition plans.
On Wednesday, a U.S. jet landed at the Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok to take Bout to the United States.
However, Bout's extradition to the United States was delayed "because of legal complications," Bangkok Post daily cited Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying.
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