The U.S. prosecutors have charged Russia’s arms smuggler Viktor Bout with four terrorism offenses, including. The charges are based on the covertly recorded conversation that the businessman had in Thailand.
Photo: Reuters
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Arms Smuggler Charged With Terrorism
The U.S. prosecutors have charged Russia’s arms smuggler Viktor Bout with four terrorism offenses, including conspiring to kill the U.S. residents, to kill the U.S. police officers and employees of the U.S. companies, to provide material support to terrorists and to buy and use anti-aircraft missiles, The Associated Press reported.
The charges are based on the covertly recorded conversation that the businessman had in Thailand March 6 with buyers, who were agents actually.
The Russian was detained March 6, 2008 in one of Bangkok hotels. The Thai court issued the arrest warrant by request of the United States. Bout denied any guilt straight after the arrest, insisting he had arrived in Thailand as tourist.
The United States is seeking the extradition of Bout.
According to the U.N. and the U.S. Treasury Department, Bout and his partners have been involved in arms trafficking to Afghanistan, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Ruanda, Sierra Leone and Sudan.
If the verdict of guilty is passed, Bout could be sentenced to 15 years in prison under the charges presented by the United States.
www.kommersant.com
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