Russian businessman Viktor Bout will not be extradited from Thailand to the United States on Wednesday some media sources reported earlier, the Thai national radio reported referring to the country's prime minister.
Thai English-language daily The Nation said on Tuesday that Bout, suspected by Washington of arms trafficking, will be extradited on Wednesday, RIA Novosti reported.
"This will not happen today. The process [of extradition] must still undergo several stages," the radio quoted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva as saying.
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.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called the Thai court's decision politically motivated, suggesting it was made to appease Washington. He also said Moscow would seek Bout's repatriation.
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