Russians criticise US politicians in arms dealer case
- Published: 14/02/2009 at 11:45 PM
- Online news: Local News
Moscow — The Russian foreign ministry on Saturday criticised American congressmen for calling for the extradition to the United States of Viktor Bout, the Russian arms smuggler awaiting a Thai court verdict over allegations of trying to smuggle missiles and rocket launchers to Colombian rebels.
Bout has been jailed in Thailand since his arrest a year ago. More than two dozen US lawmakers late last week called for the Obama administration to ensure he is extradited.
Bout's next hearing at the Criminal Court is on March 6. The presiding judge set the new extradition hearing after two defence witnesses failed to show up at his last session, last Dec 23.
State Department spokesman Rob McInturff said last week that the Bout extradition hearing "is a priority for us." US witnesses have testified against Bout in Washington's request to the Criminal Court to order Bout's extradition.
More than two dozen House of Representative members signed a letter on Feb 11 to ttorney General Eric Holder and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
The letter alleged that Bout's lawyers already have succeeded in delaying his delivery. Russian authorities want Bout turned over to them, the legislators say, raising the possibility he might avoid a US courtroom unless the administration makes his extradition a high priority.
"The Congress is making it abundantly clear, the 'Merchant of Death' must face justice," said Congressman Ed Royce of California, top Republican Party member on the House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on terrorism, non-proliferation and trade. Royce is leading the effort to have Bout sent to the US from Thailand.
The departments of State and Justice said Thursday that administration officials are working with the Thai government to ensure Bout is tried in New York. (continued below the photo)
Bout the man: in Bangkok court and with one of his planes in the Congo in 1981. Bout the legend: The Nicholas Cage movie and the 2007 Douglas Farah-Stephen Braun book.
The legislators said Russian authorities want Bout turned over to them, raising the possibility he could avoid trial in the United States. Russia in the past has rejected requests to extradite its citizens, most notably in the case of Andrei Lugovoi, whom Britain has named as the main suspect in the killing by radioactive poison of exiled security agent Alexander Litvinenko in 2006.
The Russian Foreign Ministry on Saturday issued a statement that the congressmen's call was "bewildering" because charges against Bout in Thailand have been dropped and "his guilt on charges put forth in the United States has not been proven."
"Such activity on the part of parliamentarians in a nation that purports to be a paragon of rule and law and observance of human rights looks embarrassing to say the least," the statement said. It alleged the US political push was "an attempt to derail efforts by Washington and Moscow to relaunch American-Russian cooperation."
Bout, reputed to be one of the world's most prolific arms dealers, was caught at the Sofitel Hotel in Bangkok in an elaborate sting operation. Agents from the US Drug Enforcement Administration posed as rebels from the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, looking to buy millions of dollars in weapons from Bout.
FARC is a US-designated terrorist organization.
Bout's known list of customers included former dictator Charles Taylor of Liberia, Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, the late dictator Mobutu Sese Seko of Zaire (now known as Congo) and both sides of the civil war in Angola. In Afghanistan, he also allegedly armed the Taliban and the US-backed Northern Alliance.
He was charged in the United States with conspiracy for allegedly trying to smuggle missiles and rocket launchers to the FARC. Bout also faces charges conspiring to kill US officers or employees. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison. (Agencies)
