Thai premier approves Bout extradition to U.S.
09:18 16/11/2010 BANGKOK/MOSCOW, November 16 (RIA Novosti) - Alleged Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout may be extradited to the U.S. on Tuesday after Thai Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva gave the green light to the move.
Bout was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 at the request of Washington on charges of attempting to sell weapons to agents posing as members of the Columbian rebel group Farc.
His extradition to the United States was ordered by the Thai appeals court on August 20, but was not carried out because the United States brought a second set of charges against him in February.
These charges were dropped in early October, bringing the so-called Merchant of Death one step closer to extradition. His remand period is due to expire on Friday.
Thailand's prosecutor general's office had already called for Bout to be taken from Bang Kwang prison to Don Mueang airport on Tuesday afternoon for extradition, The Bangkok Post said.
Bout's lawyer, Lak Nitivat said his extradition would be illegal.
"If they are going to take Viktor to the United States today, it will be absolutely illegally. I am waiting for a meeting with the prison's chief to explain it to him. Until the legal proceedings in Bout's case are finished, he can not be taken out," Nitivat said.
Neither Thai nor U.S. officials have informed the Russian embassy in Thailand about Bout's upcoming extradition.
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