US seeks 'merchant of death' arms dealer extradition
Friday, 07 Mar 2008 12:22
Viktor Bout, appearing at a news conference after being arrested in Thailand, is wanted by US prosecutors
The US has confirmed it is seeking the extradition of a suspected arms dealer dubbed the 'merchant of death', who was arrested in Thailand this week.
Russian national Viktor Bout was detained in a joint Thai and US drug enforcement administration (DEA) sting operation at a five-star Bangkok hotel.
He appeared handcuffed at a news conference in the Thai capital but refused to answer reporters' questions.
The 41-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of trying to procure arms for Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc) rebels in Colombia.
He is said to be the world's most prolific arms dealer, supplying weapons to the Taliban in Afghanistan, Osama Bin Laden's al-Qaida, Liberian warlord Charles Taylor and Libya's Muammar Gadafy.
Thomas Pasquarello, regional director for the DEA, said: "He's called the 'merchant of death' and the 'man of war' for a reason.
"We have warrants for Mr Bout and we do intend to extradite him."
But Washington faces competition from Moscow and Brussels to try the former Soviet air force officer, while Thai police are also weighing up the potential of a prosecution.
The alleged arms dealer is reportedly the basis for Nicolas Cage's title character in the 2005 Hollywood movie Lord of War.