ID :
138783
Sun, 08/22/2010 - 16:41
Auther :

Thai PM ready to explain Russia authorities court decision on Bout.



22/8 Tass 128a

BANGKOK, August 22 (Itar-Tass) - Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva said
on Saturday that he "is ready to explain the Russian government a decision
by the Court of Appeals which ruled to extradite Russian national Viktor
Bout to the US".
The cabinet head reckons that the hearings were held in compliance
with the usual Thai practices and without any outside pressure as well as
state interference. Besides, the Nation newspaper wrote on Saturday that
Vejjajiva denied any pressure from the interested American side.
In turn, the Prosecutor-General's Office informed that the US had 90
days to make out all necessary documents and to complete the transfer of
the businessman. "If the US is unable to do this within this time, the
Russian will be freed," said the director of the international relations
department.
The prosecutor's office also reported that the guarding of the Russian
who is in custody, was reinforced.
Meantime, under operating legislation, the government is to make the
last say on the question of extradition: to approve an extradition of a
foreign citizen to a third party or to stop the process. There is no
information so far when this can happen. Viktor Bout's documents are at
the Russian consulate.
On Friday, the court ruled to meet a US request on extradition of Bout
where he is charged, without any evidence whatsoever, with several crimes
connected with arms sales. In 2009, the Thai Criminal Court lifted all
accusations from the Russian, noting among other things, that the US had
not submitted sufficient evidence, while this case affects interests of
several countries; therefore, that was a political case.
This time, the appellation commission found Bout's case devoid of any
politics and the absence of evidence materials explained by the fact that
they, according to the plaintiff, are in the United States.
Bout had been arrested in Bangkok in March 2008 and had spent nearly
two and half years in custody in a jail. The defence and experts had no
doubts that the case would be won, expecting only new surprises from the
US.
-0-bur/gor



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