By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

BANGKOK, Thailand– A Thai judge issued a ruling rejecting extradition of the world’s most notorious weapons dealer, Viktor Bout, known as the “Merchant of Death.”  Bout was arrested in 2008 by U.S. agents in a sting operation at a Bangkok hotel. 

In addition to charges for illegal arms trafficking, the U.S. authorities accused Bout of terrorism offenses, including conspiracy to kill U.S. nationals and conspiracy to provide material support to designated terror organizations.

However, the Bangkok Criminal Court ruled Tuesday that Bout’s crimes of selling weapons to Colombia and threatening the lives of U.S. citizens are classified as “political offenses,” and extradition is not allowed for such offenses.  Furthermore, the Thai court said the Thai-U.S. Extradition Treaty does not apply, because Bout’s alleged crimes could not be prosecuted in Thailand and did not involve Thai citizens or Thailand’s national interests.

Viktor Bout holds up the victor sign after U.S. extradition request rejected (Source: Getty Images)

Thai prosecutors filed their intent to appeal with the court today in hopes of delaying freeing Bout, but this court decision has been a victory for the Russian government, which has been working to free Bout since his arrest. The appeal could delay Bout’s release for a few months with a possibility of reversal of Tuesday’s ruling by a higher Thai court.

Michael Braun, a former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official who masterminded Bout’s capture, expressed his disbelief saying, “To say I was shocked would be an understatement.”  American Congressman Ed Royce said, “It is unacceptable that this man goes free…Something is rotten in Bangkok,” while the U.S. Justice Department also released a written statement saying they are “disappointed.” 

Bout has denied any wrongdoing and has never been tried although he is subject to UN sanctions.  Vanda Falbab-Brown of Brookings Institution explained that “Bout has knowledge of Russia’s military and underworld,” and if Bout were to testify in a U.S. court, this “would make a lot of people in Russia uncomfortable”

Bout is reported to have begun building his arms business in the early 1990’s and have shipped arms to various conflict zones from Sierra Leone to Afghanistan.

For more information, please see:

ABC – Ruling Could Free ‘Merchant of Death’ – 13 August 2009

CNN – Thai court rejects U.S. extradition request for ‘Merchant of Death’ – 11 August 2009

Los Angeles Times – Thailand won’t extradite Russian arms dealer to U.S. – 12 August 2009

Ria Novosti – Thai prosecutors to appeal Bout extradition case in higher court – 13 August 2009