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Russia to seek repatriation of suspected arms dealer Viktor Bout - Lavrov

Other News Materials 20 August 2010 14:54 (UTC +04:00)
Russia will seek the repatriation of Russian businessman Viktor Bout, who is suspected by the United States of arms trafficking, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
Russia to seek repatriation of suspected arms dealer Viktor Bout - Lavrov

Russia will seek the repatriation of Russian businessman Viktor Bout, who is suspected by the United States of arms trafficking, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, RIA Novosti reported.

Former Russian army officer, Viktor Bout, 44, was arrested in Thailand in March 2008 under a request from the United States, which accuses him of illegally trading arms. He has repeatedly denied the accusations.

In August 2009, the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled in Bout's favor, denying the U.S. extradition request due to a lack of evidence and because it believed the case to be politically motivated. However, the United States appealed the ruling and filed new charges against him.

The Thai appeals court ruled on Friday to extradite Bout to the United States.

Lavrov called the decision illegal and politically motivated.

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